German government aircraft makes emergency landing in Seychelles

A German government training aircraft made an emergency landing in Seychelles during a mission flying from Egypt to the French island of Réunion.

Por El Medio Oriente
16 de agosto de 2026
Aerial view of an island with white-bladed wind turbines, wooded areas, industrial facilities and blue water surrounding it, with a cargo vessel visible in the background.
Image of an island with wind and port infrastructure, taken from the air. The emergency landing of the German aircraft occurred during its journey from Egypt to the island of Réunion. (Sky News Arabia)
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A spokesman for the German Defence Ministry told the German news agency that the aircraft was on a training mission from Egypt to the French island of Réunion in the Indian Ocean when it made an emergency landing in Seychelles.

The spokesman confirmed that only crew members were on board and that they are in good condition. He noted that repair work on the technical fault is currently underway.

The spokesman explained that training flights of this kind are necessary to train crews, including instruction on flight procedures over airspace without surveillance coverage, special landing techniques and aircraft operation in exceptional weather conditions such as areas near the equator and elevated temperatures.

The German Defence Ministry is responsible for the government's aircraft fleet unit, which regularly carries out flights for the chancellor, ministers, the president of parliament and other representatives within and outside the country.

The aircraft drew attention after Malte Kaufmann, a deputy from the Alternative for Germany party, posted a photograph on the X platform. Kaufmann, who was on holiday in Seychelles, initially speculated that it was an unannounced visit by Chancellor Friedrich Merz or a minister, before the nature of the training mission was clarified.

German government aircraft emergency landing in Seychelles | El Medio Oriente