Baerbock stranded in Abu Dhabi: Government planes are "excellently maintained", according to the German government

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Airbus A340 of flight readiness in Abu Dhabi

Photo: Florian Gärtner / photothek / IMAGO

The renewed breakdown of a government plane during a trip by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) is one of several. Nevertheless, the German government sees the fleet in excellent condition: It is "very satisfied," said deputy government spokesman Wolfgang Büchner in response to a question about the operational readiness of the flight readiness.

"The Bundeswehr's flight readiness is doing an excellent job," said Büchner. The planes are also "excellently maintained". In the case of an aircraft, it is not the age, but the state of maintenance that is decisive. "And these aircraft are maintained in such a way that they are comparable to any new aircraft in terms of safety."

Baerbock was stranded in Abu Dhabi early Monday morning on his way to a week-long visit to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. The reason was a technical defect in the landing flaps, so her plane had to return to the emirate shortly after take-off, where it had previously made a planned refueling stopover.

16 aircraft in the fleet

High-ranking German politicians such as ministers or Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) usually use the flight readiness of the Federal Ministry of Defense for trips abroad. This has 16 aircraft and three helicopters ready for this purpose, among other things.

"The technicians are on site right now and are checking everything," said a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Defense. However, the incident is difficult to reproduce on the ground. Everything is being done to find the cause, to remedy it and to ensure Baerbock's safe onward journey. Delegation circles said on Monday afternoon that the trip to Australia would probably be able to continue later in the evening. It is being examined whether the journey can be continued with the aircraft of the flight readiness or whether there is the possibility of a scheduled flight.

The spokeswoman for the Ministry of Defense assured that the flight readiness was not more often affected by breakdowns than comparable airlines, the fleet was only smaller. "We are at the technical level of a renowned airline, quite normal. The aircraft are maintained by a renowned airline." The end of use of the A340-300 aircraft in question is scheduled for the end of September.

muk/dpa