ATHENS – A Lufthansa flight bound for Munich was forced to make an emergency return to Athens International Airport (ATH) on Monday evening following reports of smoke in the cabin and a fire alarm in the cockpit.
Emergency During Initial Climb
Flight LH1753, operated by an Airbus A321neo (registration D-AIEA), departed Athens at 18:07 EEST on May 11, 2026. The departure proceeded normally until the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately 8,000 feet.
According to flight data and cockpit communications, the crew abruptly halted the climb after receiving a fire warning for the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), a small engine located in the tail of the aircraft used to provide power while on the ground. Simultaneously, flight attendants reported visible smoke manifesting in the rear section of the passenger cabin.
Rapid Return and Evacuation
The flight crew declared an emergency and requested an immediate return to the airfield. Air Traffic Control cleared the aircraft for a priority approach, and the plane touched down safely on Runway 21L at 18:35 EEST, only 28 minutes after takeoff.
Upon coming to a halt on the taxiway, the captain ordered an immediate emergency evacuation via the aircraft’s inflatable slides. Emergency services, including airport fire crews, were already on standby and met the aircraft as passengers exited.
Passenger Injuries
Lufthansa confirmed that while the landing was successful, the evacuation process resulted in minor injuries.
Investigation Underway
The aircraft involved, D-AIEA, is a modern A321neo that joined the Lufthansa fleet in 2019. It has been grounded in Athens pending a full technical inspection to determine the cause of the smoke and the APU warning.
Lufthansa is currently working to rebook the remaining passengers on alternative flights to Munich. Greek aviation authorities and the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU) are expected to review the incident.
