Copenhagen, Denmark – An SAS flight bound for Seoul (ICN) was forced to make a long-haul return to its originating airport, Copenhagen Airport (CPH), on Thursday, December 11, 2025.
SAS Flight SK987, operated by an Airbus A350-941 with registration SE-RSE, took off from Copenhagen’s runway 22L. The aircraft had already completed a significant portion of its journey, reaching a cruising altitude of 37,000 feet before the decision to turn back was made.
The long-range widebody jet made its U-turn while flying over the airspace of Georgia, far to the east of its starting point. Despite the reversal of course, the flight duration totaled a substantial 7 hours before the aircraft safely landed back in Copenhagen.
The nature of the issue that prompted the lengthy return has not been immediately confirmed by the airline. However, the decision to divert back to Copenhagen from such a distance and altitude suggests a failure or malfunction that could not be safely managed over the remaining distance to Seoul, or that the issue required the resources available at the SAS hub in Copenhagen for resolution.
Passengers were subsequently deplaned in Copenhagen and arrangements are being made to continue their journey to Seoul.
