A commercial pilot was forced to carry out an emergency landing after the plane experienced a pressurisation issue that caused the oxygen masks to be deployed.
The Airbus A318 encountered a technical issue shortly after departure.
Air France flight AF1448 took off from the Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris at around 9.30pm on Friday (3 Jan).
Bound for Barcelona in Spain, the plane experienced a cabin pressurisation malfunction 17 minutes into the flight.
The crew declared an emergency situation at around 9.45pm.
The pilot was forced to return to Paris to carry out an emergency landing.
Oxygen masks were deployed as the plane quickly descended to a safe altitude of 8,000 feet.
The 18-year-old aircraft, registered F-GUGR, landed safely at Charles de Gaulle Airport at 10.12pm.
No injuries were reported among the crew members or passengers.
Flight AF1448 and the return flight AF1449 were cancelled so that technical inspections could be carried out on the plane.
Affected passengers were assisted by Air France teams at the airport.
They ended up taking alternative flights to their destination.
The airline apologised for the inconvenience caused, as reported by Need To Know.
An Air France spokesperson stated: “We can confirm that the crew of flight AF1448 on 3rd January 2005, from Paris CDG to Barcelona BCN operated by Airbus 318, decided to return to its base after 17 minutes of flight due to cabin pressure malfunction.
“Air France crews are trained regularly to manage this type of situation in accordance with the manufacturer’s procedures.”
They said the oxygen masks were activated by crew members because “the automatic mask drop altitude had not yet been reached”.
The airline added: “Air France regrets the inconvenience due to this situation and reminds that the safety of its customers and crew members is its absolute imperative.”
An investigation into the cause of the uncontrolled decompression issue is ongoing.
READ MORE: Biker, 21, fatally crashes into utility pole while taking selfie video
