Lufthansa MUC-CPT flight diverts around the entire African continent

[Mattg]

LH574 on 25 October took 2.5 hours longer than usual because it flew along the coast of the African continent, rather than over it.

I believe the issue was that it was the first day of the new IATA northern winter season, and the airline didn't yet have overflight permissions for the new season for some of the countries whose airspace it would normally use.

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[Comoman]

This is like SAA used to do in the 80’s with a 747sp.

 

[exLXCXFF]

In German forums, speculation was that there may have been a diplomatic person on board subject to prosecution if there was a emergency landing in certain Sahel countries such as Lybia or Algeria - hence this flight path to be able to divert to the Canary Island. As I say, pure speculation.

Someone also claimed to have called LH in Frankfurt and was told it is because due to strong wind over your continent. I think someone showed that a BA flight did a similar track a few days ago.