Entebbe, Uganda – Turkish Airlines flight TK612, carrying 259 passengers and crew, returned safely to Entebbe International Airport on Sunday, January 26, 2025, after taking off for Istanbul earlier that morning at 7:14 AM.
The Airbus A333 circled Ugandan airspace, including areas over northern Kampala, for over three hours to burn excess fuel, a necessary procedure to ensure it met the safe landing weight.
The aircraft landed safely at 10:50 AM,and all passengers and crew were disembarked without incident.
The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) spokesperson, Vianney Luggya, confirmed the incident, stating, “The decision to return and burn fuel was a precautionary measure. This is a standard safety procedure in the aviation industry to prioritize passenger and crew safety. All passengers and crew were safely evacuated upon landing.”
While the exact reason for the flight’s return has not been disclosed, the UCAA and Turkish Airlines assured the public that such measures are routine and underline the importance of safety in aviation operations.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing, and further updates are expected in due course.