easyJet flight makes emergency landing in Portugal
The British low-cost carrier easyJet had encountered an unforeseen circumstance when one of its Airbus A320 aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing. The diversion was caused by an unexpected medical emergency that affected the first officer onboard the flight bound for Agadir, Morocco.
The easyJet Airbus A320, registered as G-EZTD, was traveling from London Gatwick Airport (LGW), the United Kingdom, to Agadir in Morocco on April 21 when the captain ordered an emergency landing.
Flight EZY6469 took off at 6:30 AM local UK time and was scheduled to land at the final destination in Agadir Al Massira Airport (AGA) at 9:25 AM, according to Flightradar24.com data.
However, more than two hours into the flight, the pilot diverted to Faro Airport (FAO) in Portugal to allow the first officer to receive medical attention. The aircraft was carrying 100 passengers.
In an emailed statement to Simple Flying, an easyJet spokesperson confirmed that the flight EZY6469 diverted to Faro due to a medical situation and added that "the Captain performed a routine landing in accordance with standard operating procedures, and the aircraft was met by medical services on arrival in Faro."
An EasyJet spokesman said: 'EasyJet can confirm that flight EZY6469 from London Gatwick to Agadir on 21 April diverted to Faro due to the First Officer requiring medical assistance.
'The Captain performed a routine landing in accordance with standard operating procedures and the aircraft was met by medical services on arrival in Faro.
'A replacement crew was arranged and passengers have since continued their journey to Agadir.
'We apologise for any inconvenience experienced due to the diversion and resulting delay.
'The safety and well-being of its passengers and crew is easyJet's highest priority.'
An Aer Lingus passenger jet was forced to make an emergency landing earlier this month in Dublin just minutes after take-off after a flock of pigeons was sucked into the aircraft's engine.
Firefighters immediately scrambled onto the runway once the aircraft had landed following the bird strike this afternoon.
Passengers reported experiencing major vibrations on the plane after the flock of birds got trapped in the right engine.
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