Erupting volcano in Mexico forced KLM flight to go back to Amsterdam

Passengers traveling on a KLM flight on Thursday Nov. 28, were forced to endure an 11-hour journey that ended with them being dropped them off exactly where they started because of an erupting volcano.

Flight KL685 took off from Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport and made it all the way to eastern Canada when the crew realized that a volcanic eruption in Mexico meant that the flight wouldn’t be able to land at its destination.

The flight turned right back around and headed back to Amsterdam, landing at 2:30 a.m., 11 hours later.

The Dutch airline told the aviation news website Simple Flying that “landing at another airport was not possible, because of the visa requirements of passengers and as there was a large cargo of horses on board.”


The flight was over New Brunswick about 5 1/2 hours into the flight when the crew turned around.

The Dutch airline told the aviation news website Simple Flying that “landing at another airport was not possible, because of the visa requirements of passengers and as there was a large cargo of horses on board.”

The Yucatan Times Newsroom with information from:
Business Insider