“Aircraft diverted to Madrid due to crack in cockpit will not return to commercial service”
Luxembourg airline Luxair has confirmed that the Boeing 737-700, registration LX-LGQ, has been officially withdrawn from its operational fleet. The decision comes after a significant technical incident during a flight between Sal Island, Cape Verde, and Luxembourg, which forced an emergency landing in Spanish territory.
The event took place on February 9, 2026, when flight LG372 was flying back to Europe. During the flight, the crew detected a crack in the cockpit windshield, which immediately triggered safety protocols. As a precautionary measure, the captain decided to divert the aircraft to Madrid-Barajas airport, where it landed safely with no injuries to passengers or crew.
Impact on operations and safety
Although the incident caused inconvenience to passengers traveling from Cape Verde, Luxair clarified that the refurbishment of this specific aircraft had already been planned for several months. With 22 years of service, the Boeing 737-700 was at the end of its useful life in the company's fleet. However, the technical problem that occurred on the Sal flight brought forward the definitive end of its commercial operations.
The company emphasizes that passenger safety is its top priority and that the decision not to repair the part for commercial flights is based on a cost-benefit analysis, since the aircraft would soon be replaced by more modern and efficient models, such as the Boeing 737 MAX.
Summary of the incident and technical data
Who is Luxair?
Luxair (Luxembourg Airlines) is the flag carrier of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Founded in 1961, it operates scheduled flights to destinations in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, as well as charter and seasonal flights. The airline has a long-standing and strategic presence in Cape Verde, connecting Luxembourg directly to the islands of Sal and Boa Vista, serving both the large Cape Verdean community in Europe and European tourists visiting the archipelago.
Future of connections with the archipelago
The withdrawal of this aircraft does not compromise connections with Cape Verde. Luxair is in the process of modernizing its fleet, integrating aircraft that offer greater range and lower fuel consumption. The route between Luxembourg and the Cape Verde islands will continue to be operated by the remaining Boeing 737-800s and the new 737 MAX 8s, ensuring continuity of service for resident and visiting passengers.
The LX-LGQ aircraft will now be used to supply parts or sold to cargo operators, ending a chapter of more than two decades of flights, many of them under the skies of Cape Verde.
Caboverde24.info
Source: RTL Today / Contacto.lu
Editorial Note: This article focuses on the operational impact for the Cape Verde route following Luxair's announcement of the refurbishment of aircraft LX-LGQ.
