King and Queen's return flight from Chile delayed due to tyre damage
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde’s return from their three-day state visit to Chile was delayed while taxiing at Antofagasta Airport on Thursday. A tyre was damaged while towing and had to be replaced.
The aircraft, an Airbus A340-300 operated by Portuguese airline Hi Fly, had already caused delays on the outbound flight, shortening the visit by one day.
The royal couple and accompanying ministers disembarked shortly after the tyre incident. Other delegation members, including journalists, business leaders and academics, initially remained on board but were later also asked to leave before the tyre change.
Though the delay was expected to last only a few hours, the flight could not depart after the tyre replacement because the plane required official clearance to fly. The delegation was returned to a hotel while awaiting approval.
The earliest possible new departure time is Friday at noon local time - 18.00 Belgian time - but if the tyre is rejected, another must be flown in from Santiago, causing further delay.
The trip aimed to strengthen Belgium’s ties with Chile, with visits that included a tour of the European Southern Observatory, an intergovernmental astronomy organisation co-founded by Belgium, and a stop at the SQM lithium refinery in Antofagasta. Chile holds the world's largest reserves of the mineral used in batteries.
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde at departure after their state visit to Chile, 26 June 2025 © BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM
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