'Strange' smell prompts priority landing for Air Malta flight

An Air Malta Airbus was yesterday given priority at Amsterdam airport and landed immediately after the captain became concerned about a "strange smell" in the cabin.

When flight KM398 from Malta was making its approach towards Amsterdam airport, the captain realised there was a smell in the cabin and, as a precautionary measure, he immediately asked air traffic control for permission to land immediately. A spokesman for the airline explained that the plane had already reached the airport but was waiting to land.

Upon landing, aircraft engineers inspected the plane and discovered that the smell had originated from the air conditioning system. However, nothing unusual was noted and 30 minutes after landing, the plane was ready for the return flight to Malta.