Technical problems ground German foreign minister’s plane in Abu Dhabi

Incident on Annalena Baerbock's aircraft is latest to be criticised for damaging Germany's reputation for technical prowess

A government plane carrying Germany's foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, and a delegation of officials has been forced to return to a layover airport due to technical problems, in the latest of a string of mishaps to beset the government aircraft.

The plane, which was taking Baerbock to Australia, had made a refuelling stopover in Abu Dhabi. But just minutes after taking off, it was forced to turn back after the pilot detected a problemwith a landing flap that failed to open towards the tail end of the plane.