The year 2025 was marked by a series of events that reminded us of the fragility and unpredictability of air transport. From unexpected births to animal intrusions, human and technological failures, the skies were the scene of some unusual situations, to say the least. Flywest looks back at the incidents that shook the aviation world.
The human factor, the leading cause of unforeseen events in 2025
Technology and weather may have played a part, but it was humans who were at the center of many incidents in 2025. In-flight births, a phenomenon already observed in the past, were on the rise again. Several flights had to be diverted to allow passengers to give birth under safer medical conditions. Although professionally managed by the crews, these situations testify to the unpredictability of life on board.
Drunkenness and unrest on board: an operational nightmare
Drunk passengers have become a major concern for airlines. This disruptive behavior has led to diversions, police interventions and significant delays. In one particularly noteworthy incident, a European airline pilot was disembarked because of her state of intoxication before taking control of a flight, illustrating the vigilance required at all levels of the operational chain.
When air traffic control takes a break
On the Isle of Beauty, a Corsican air traffic controller, finding himself alone on duty, dozed off, rendering the control tower unreachable. A plane had to turn around on standby for almost 45 minutes, reminding us of the critical dependence of air safety on the constant vigilance of every human link.
Technology, between prowess and vulnerability
While technology has enabled considerable advances in aeronautics, it remains sensitive to hazards. The year 2025 saw striking examples of this duality.
Cell phone causes U-turn
A single cell phone dropped into the air vents of a seat was enough to turn around two long-haul flights operated by a major French airline. The fear that a lithium battery could trigger a thermal outbreak justified an immediate return to Paris, underlining the sensitivity of on-board systems.
The past blocking the future
In Nantes, the discovery of a German bomb dating from the Second World War under an airport runway brought traffic to a complete standstill. This historic event literally brought ultramodern aircraft to a standstill, bringing the future of aviation face to face with its origins.
Nature recalls its sovereignty
The natural elements, often underestimated, have also reminded us of their power in 2025.
Thunderstorms and bird collisions: major impacts
An unusually violent storm hit the Brest control tower, causing power surges, black screens and muted radios. The operational impact was total. Further afield, a flight from Madrid to Paris had to make an emergency landing after colliding with a bird. The violent impact damaged the aircraft's nose and caused smoke to billow into the cabin, illustrating the danger of high-speed bird collisions.
Unexpected guests on board
An uninvited rodent caused the cancellation of an Air Corsica flight. Its presence on board necessitated an immediate return and a complete inspection of the aircraft. On the ground, fires around Narbonne and Marseille-Provence led to diversions and deteriorating visibility, demonstrating that extreme weather conditions are now operational parameters in their own right.
A mirror year for aviation
The year 2025, with its share of unusual incidents, can be seen as a mirror year. It reflects the extreme sensitivity of air transport to everything that makes up the world: human behavior, technological tools and natural hazards. Each event, however surprising, is a reminder of the importance of vigilance, adaptation and resilience in the air transport sector, a sector which, despite everything, continues to connect the world.
Source: Flywest via compiled news data.
English 
French