Lufthansa A321-100 Rejected Takeoff at Hamburg Due to Crossing Aircraft

A Lufthansa A321-100 departing Hamburg RWY23 for Munich rejected takeoff to maintain separation from an aircraft landing on the intersecting runway on 21 October.

A Lufthansa Airbus A321-100 preparing to depart to Munich from Hamburg rejected its takeoff on 21 October 2024.

Lufthansa flight LH2079, operated by an Airbus A321-100, was preparing for a departure from runway 23 Hamburg Airport (HAM). The aircraft was performing a scheduled service to Munich International Airport (MUC).

Lufthansa LH2079 Munich-Hamburg

Flight track of Lufthansa LH2079 showing rejected takeoff from Hamburg.

Following its takeoff clearance from runway 23, the aircraft commenced its takeoff roll. As the aircraft began accelerating on the takeoff roll, flight crew rejected the takeoff at low speed. The aircraft then vacated the active runway and returned to the holding point.

According to the online source Aviation Herald, a passenger reported a flight deck announcement advising that the takeoff had been aborted due to an aircraft on the intersecting runway 15.

It appears that ATC gave Lufthansa flight LH2079 an immediate takeoff clearance from runway 23. The takeoff was to be expedited to allow the flight to depart prior to arrival aircraft landing on runway 15.

As the Lufthansa flight crew were not able to expedite the takeoff, the control tower then cancelled the takeoff clearance to ensure appropriate separation.

At this point the aircraft had commenced its takeoff roll and was at low speed. Flight crew elected to vacate the runway and to return to the holding point for a second departure attempt.

Lufthansa flight LH2079 was then able to conduct its departure less than ten minutes after the initial rejected takeoff.

The aircraft conducting the LH2079 service to Munich International Airport was an Airbus A321-100, registered D-AIRY. This is a 26.1 year old narrowbody aircraft belonging to the national carrier Lufthansa.

It has been an operational service with the airline since its initial delivery from the factory in November 1998. The aircraft has been given the airline name ‘Flensburg’.