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2w ago

Belgian Royals Await Safety Clearance on Repaired Plane

Belgium’s foreign minister has called for a review of the Hi Fly lease after repeated mechanical failures delayed the royal couple’s return flight by over 16 hours.

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Overview

  • A tow truck damaged a tire on the Hi Fly-operated Airbus A340-300 at Antofagasta Airport on June 26, forcing King Philippe, Queen Mathilde and their delegation to disembark for an overnight hotel stay.
  • By June 28 engineers had fitted a replacement tire but the aircraft remains grounded pending official aviation authority approval for the repair.
  • The tire incident marks the second technical snag on the three-day state visit, following an initial 24-hour outbound delay due to earlier mechanical problems.
  • Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot announced plans to push for a government reassessment of the contract with Portuguese leasing company Hi Fly.
  • The visit represents Belgium’s first state mission to Latin America in six decades and underscores logistical challenges inherent in high-profile diplomatic travel.