KM 478 – Air Malta Flight to Paris Charles De Gaulle

30 December 2015

Date: Tuesday, 30 December 2014
Ref: 103-2014 EN

Air Malta flight KM478 from Malta to Paris was this morning hit by lightning during the approach into the airport.  No one was injured and the aircraft landed safely in Paris.

A spokesperson for Air Malta said it is fairly normal in commercial aviation for aircraft to be struck by lightning and aircraft were protected and certified in this regard. Passengers, crew and aircraft were never in any danger.

The spokesperson added that standard procedure entails that the aircraft is checked after the flight. The airline is planning to operate a relief aircraft this evening with a team of engineers to service the aircraft, check all systems and certify it fit for flight. 

As a consequence of this incident other Air Malta flights may be affected.

Air Malta, the spokesman said, gave utmost importance to the safety and well-being of its clients and crew and apologised to its clients for any inconvenience caused by circumstances beyond its control.

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