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Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787 returns to Munich airport after takeoff incident

A Vietnam Airlines flight bound for Hanoi returned to Munich Airport on Saturday following technical problems after takeoff, the airline and airport said.

August 16, 2026

Gnaneshwar Rajan and Ananya Palyekar

Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787 returns to Munich airport after takeoff incident

FILE PHOTO: A Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner airplane prepares for landing at Noi Bai international airport in Hanoi, Vietnam March 7, 2017.

REUTERS/Kham/File Photo

A Vietnam Airlines flight bound for Hanoi returned to Munich Airport on Saturday following technical problems after takeoff, the airline and airport said.


The Boeing plane circled for more than two hours to burn fuel after reportedly overrunning the runway during takeoff, according to flight-tracking website Flightradar24.


Video aired by US-based ABC News showed the jet taking off with a large cloud of dust trailing behind it.


Vietnam Airlines said in a statement the flight had returned to its departure airport after takeoff due to a "technical issue". It did not provide further details about the problem.


Munich Airport said after landing, the plane was unable to taxi off the north runway under its own power and remained stranded.


That forced the closure of the north runway and a rerouting of air traffic via the south runway, the airport said in a statement.


Vietnam Airlines said the flight crew had followed all required procedures and landed safely at Munich Airport.


"The passengers and cabin crew members are safe," the airline said.


Vietnam Airlines said it was coordinating with the relevant authorities and parties to inspect the aircraft and it would provide further updates as soon as the inspection results and specific operational plans were available.


Reporting by Gnaneshwar Rajan and Ananya Palyekar in Bengaluru; Editing by Jamie Freed/Reuters

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