Eurowings diverted a Düsseldorf-Brindisi service back to Düsseldorf on Tuesday after smoke was reported shortly after take-off, with 144 passengers on board. The aircraft landed safely at Düsseldorf Airport, where fire and rescue teams mounted a large precautionary response and the plane was taken for technical inspection.
The flight departed at 16:53 and returned about 12 minutes later, after the crew treated the smoke indication as a safety issue and turned back immediately. Passengers disembarked using mobile stairs on the apron and were transferred to the terminal by bus.
Around 70 emergency personnel attended the incident, and runway operations were briefly adjusted while the aircraft occupied the south runway. Two passengers were taken to nearby hospitals as a precaution, although no injuries were reported by the fire service. The cause of the smoke development remained unclear while the aircraft was examined.