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Over Three Hundred Passengers on Condor Airways Flight from Greece to Germany Face Emergency Landing in Brindisi After Engine Fire During Mid-Flight
Published on
August 17, 2025
More than three hundred people on Condor Airways Flight DE3665, on its way from Greece to Germany, suddenly found themselves landing in Brindisi, Italy, after flames erupted from the right engine. The emergency unfolded shortly after the plane had lifted off from Corfu International Airport; a critical engine failure ignited a fire. The flight crew acted decisively, opting to head for Brindisi instead of pressing on to Germany. Their choice underscored the airline’s unwavering focus on protecting passengers in the most serious of circumstances.
In a dramatic incident, over three hundred passengers aboard Condor Airways Flight DE3665 were forced into a tense emergency landing at Brindisi Airport in Italy after experiencing an engine fire during their journey from Greece to Germany. The Boeing 757-300, which had taken off from Corfu International Airport, encountered a severe engine malfunction shortly after its ascent, endangering the lives of its passengers and crew.
A Flight Turned Into a Crisis
The ordeal began when the aircraft was approximately 1,500 feet above Corfu, still in its climb phase, when a sudden and alarming malfunction occurred in the right engine. The malfunction quickly escalated into a fire, causing panic among the passengers. The incident was witnessed by numerous locals and tourists in Corfu, who recorded the frightening scene on their mobile phones. Passengers described hearing a deafening noise, akin to an explosion, as the engine burst into flames.
As the aircraft flew over the port of Corfu, the flight crew acted swiftly. The pilots, following standard safety protocols, attempted to de-activate the engine systems, but the fire continued to spread. In response, they made the crucial decision to divert the flight, opting for an emergency landing in Brindisi, Italy, rather than attempting a return to Corfu.
Immediate Action and Quick Decision-Making
Despite the severity of the situation, the pilots remained calm and focused. The decision to continue with a single engine and divert to Brindisi was made after assessing the aircraft’s ability to safely reach the Italian airport. At an altitude of 8,000 feet, the Boeing 757-300 proceeded on its altered course, heading towards Brindisi with minimal delay. The airport was placed on high alert, and emergency landing procedures were immediately put into motion.
The flight crew’s prompt response ensured that all 300+ passengers on board were safe. Upon landing, the aircraft was met by emergency personnel who ensured a smooth and safe disembarkation process. Condor Airways, in a statement following the event, reiterated their commitment to the safety and well-being of their passengers, apologizing for the inconvenience caused by the emergency landing.
Witnessed by Locals and Tourists
The incident was not only alarming for the passengers on board but also for many who witnessed the aircraft’s distress from the ground. Tourists and locals in Corfu reported hearing the loud explosion-like noise as the aircraft soared over the island. Several people took videos and photos of the plane, capturing the dramatic scene and adding to the already heightened tension in the area. The swift actions of the flight crew were met with praise, as they were able to safely navigate the challenging situation.
The Aftermath: Passengers Accommodated and Flight Delayed
Once the flight safely landed in Brindisi, the passengers were escorted off the plane and transferred to nearby accommodations. Condor Airways made arrangements for the affected passengers to continue their journey to Germany the following day. Despite the tense situation, there were no reported injuries among the passengers or crew.
Condor Airways emphasized that their decision to divert the flight was based solely on ensuring the safety of everyone on board, a sentiment echoed in their official statement. The airline reassured travelers that they were taking every measure to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Impact on Tourism and Airline Safety
This emergency landing highlights the importance of having robust safety measures in place for both airlines and airports, particularly during peak travel seasons. The incident also sheds light on the critical role that quick-thinking flight crews play in managing high-stress situations to protect lives.
Tourists who had been planning on traveling to Düsseldorf were understandably delayed, but the professionalism displayed by Condor Airways allowed the situation to be handled with minimal disruption. As international travel continues to grow, ensuring the safety of passengers remains a top priority for airlines across the globe.
The Condor Airways charter flying from Greece to Germany had to set down unexpectedly at Brindisi when one of its right-side engines indicated a fire warning shortly after cruise altitude. The command crew executed a rapid assessment, turned the aircraft toward the closest suitable airport, and executed a safe descent to protect the nearly three hundred onboard. Brindisi’s ground fire crews met the Boeing at the ramp and confirmed the engine isolation before any flames breached the nacelle.
While no one in the cabin was hurt, the episode reminds the flying public and regulators of the industry’s underlying vulnerability. Each phase of a flight submits the connecting systems—mechanical, procedural, and human—to stresses they were designed to withstand but can only prove themselves under test conditions such as this. The use of the crew check-list, the calm cabin address, and the disciplined evacuation prioritization showcase training repetition that converts theory into lifesaving action the instant a malfunction escalates.
As the summer schedule continues to pulse an unbroken wave of travelers between Mediterranean resorts and central European cities, memories of this one flight will fade, yet its lessons will not. Condor, like all carriers, will sift recorder data, upgrade inspection protocols, and refine the on-call engine shops, while the regulators will pore over the analyses that will assure a more resilient fleet. For the ticket buyer, a second cup of coffee at altitude and a conscientious cabin crew signal a reliance on the invisible safeguards that turn the textbook into reality.
