Air Algérie Crew Nearly Lands at Wrong Toulouse Airport

Navigation Error Over French Skies

An Air Algérie Boeing 737-800 narrowly avoided landing at the wrong airport near Toulouse on August 13, 2025. Flight AH1020 from Oran, Algeria to Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS) was approaching its destination when pilots aligned with Toulouse-Francazal Airport (LFBF), located 10km south of the intended runway.

Last-Minute Correction

At approximately 750 meters altitude, the crew recognized their mistake. The aircraft immediately climbed to 1,200 meters before contacting air traffic control. After reporting the incident, pilots successfully navigated to Toulouse-Blagnac for a safe landing.

Airport Confusion Factors

Toulouse-Francazal hasn't hosted scheduled flights since 2010 but maintains a 1,900-meter runway capable of handling 737 aircraft. Its proximity to TLS and similar runway orientation (both feature parallel 29/11 runways) creates potential confusion. Air Algérie operates multiple daily Toulouse flights, making this error particularly unexpected.

Historical Precedents

This incident echoes similar navigation errors:

• Ethiopian Airlines (2021): Two 737s landed at wrong airports on same day
• Volotea (2022): A319 crew approached incorrect Brest airport
• British Airways (2019): A320 nearly landed at small Essex airfield

Aviation authorities emphasize rigorous approach verification procedures to prevent such occurrences.