KLM flight returns to Schiphol after “unpleasant odor” detected mid-flight
A KLM flight en route to Lima, Peru, made an unplanned return to Schiphol Airport on Saturday after passengers and crew reported a strong and unpleasant smell in the cabin, according to airline officials.
The aircraft, which departed Schiphol around 10:00 a.m., reversed course approximately three hours into the flight and landed safely back in the Netherlands at 5:15 p.m., as reported by RTL. All passengers and crew members were unharmed, KLM confirmed.
“Everyone smelled an unpleasant, disagreeable odor,” a KLM spokesperson said. “That could be anything — for example, something in the cargo.” The spokesperson emphasized that it was not a minor issue. “For a couple of sweaty feet, a plane does not turn around,” the spokesperson stated.
It remains unclear what caused the smell. “That is still under investigation,” the airline said. The odor was described only as “unpleasant” and not immediately linked to a specific substance or technical issue.
KLM has begun rebooking the passengers. “The passengers are being rebooked so they can still fly to Lima at a later time,” the airline said. “That may happen today, otherwise tomorrow.”
The safety of all on board was never compromised, according to KLM. “The most important thing is that all passengers are safe,” the spokesperson added.
The aircraft was taken out of service upon landing for inspection and further examination into the source of the smell. No other details about the type of aircraft or the number of people on board have been released.
Flight tracking data shows the plane began its return shortly after 1:44 p.m., indicating a mid-flight decision after the odor was reported. The flight was scheduled to make the long-haul journey across the Atlantic to South America before the incident forced the diversion.
