Tokyo-bound Air Busan passenger plane turns back after ‘fuel system issue’ detected in flight; around 200 passengers left waiting anxiously for around six hours

[Financial News] An Air Busan passenger plane bound for Tokyo, Japan, after departing Gimhae International Airport in Busan, was forced to turn back when an issue with its fuel system was detected in flight. The delay in deploying a replacement aircraft left around 200 passengers facing significant inconvenience for at least six hours.
According to Air Busan and other sources, a fuel control system warning light came on aboard flight BX717, which had taken off from Gimhae International Airport between 8:20 and 8:55 a.m. on the 2nd and was bound for Narita International Airport in Japan.
Around 200 passengers were aboard the aircraft as it flew over the East Sea. Prioritizing passenger safety, the captain immediately decided to turn back and returned safely to Gimhae International Airport.
Air Busan immediately began arranging for a replacement aircraft after the plane turned back. Because of maintenance, the reboarding process and other factors, it was only at 2:59 p.m.—about 6 hours and 40 minutes after its originally scheduled departure—that the aircraft was able to depart for Tokyo again with around 200 passengers aboard.
An Air Busan representative said, “Although this was an unavoidable measure to ensure safety, the delay to the flight schedule caused considerable inconvenience to our passengers, and we sincerely apologize,” adding, “While passengers were waiting, we took steps to minimize the disruption, including providing them with airport food and beverage coupons.”


[email protected] Park Ji-hyun Reporter