Lufthansa Flight Diverted to Phoenix Due to Thunderstorm
Lufthansa flight LH452, en route to Los Angeles, executed an unscheduled landing at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport due to severe thunderstorm activity. This regular service, operated by an Airbus A380 (registration D-AIMA), originally departed from Munich (MUC) and was set to arrive in Los Angeles (LAX).
Severe Weather Conditions Impact Flight
The diversion was necessary because intense thunderstorms swept through the Los Angeles basin, rendering conditions unsafe for the A380 to land at LAX. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) subsequently issued a ground stop to maintain safety.
Weather Challenges at LAX
As one of the world’s busiest airports, Los Angeles International Airport often faces weather-related issues, particularly in summer with rapid thunderstorm developments. According to the National Weather Service office in Phoenix, Doppler radar identified heavy rain with areas already seeing 1 to 1.5 inches of accumulation, alongside flash flood warnings.
Phoenix as a Link for Diversion
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport frequently serves as a diversion destination for aircraft encountering degraded conditions while bound for Southern California. This incident marked only the second occasion an Airbus A380 diverted to PHX.
Resumption of Flight to Los Angeles
After conditions improved, LH452 resumed its journey to Los Angeles, departing Phoenix at 5:00 PM. The flight successfully landed at LAX at 6:19 PDT, arriving approximately three hours behind schedule.
Coincidentally, a substantial dust storm impacted Phoenix Sky Harbor later, temporarily halting airport operations and creating further disruptions to flights.
| Flight | Aircraft | Registration | Original Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| LH452 | Airbus A380-841 | D-AIMA | Munich (MUC) to Los Angeles (LAX) |
