FARO- Luton-based low-cost carrier easyJet (U2) flight from Faro Airport (FAO) to London Gatwick (LGW) made an emergency landing back at Faro amid a bird strike today (July 27, 2024).
Some reports by media also suggested the flames seen coming out from both of the engines.
Faro Airport Emergency Landing
According to Flight Radar 24 data, easyJet flight U28538 took off from Faro – Gago Coutinho International Airport, Portugal at 4:04 PM UTC.
During takeoff, the easyJet flight was hit by flocks of birds, which damaged the aircraft and engine. However, the aircraft could not land back immediately as it had to burn some extra fuel to avoid a heavy landing.
The easyJet flight crew followed the standard protocols and 30 mins after burning extra fuel, decided to land back at Faro Airport. The flight landed safely 35 minutes later at 4:40 PM UTC.
Luckily no injuries onboard or on the ground were reported by the airline. But many emergency vehicles including follow-me vehicles, ambulances, and fire fighting trucks rushed near the aircraft after landing.
Following the incident, a red alert was issued at Faro. Now what is red alert, if you don’t know, here is a brief on it.
A red alert triggers an immediate suspension of all activities to ensure safety. This critical warning aims to safeguard both travelers and crew members on aircraft.
Red Alert at Airport
But the red alert was temporary and didn’t last long and all the traffic returned to normal.
The flight was operated by Airbus A319 registered as G-EZBT. Further, as per planespotters.net data, it is a 17.3-year-old aircraft and is powered by CFM 56-5A engines.
London Gatwick is the top destination for Faro Airport as there are 72 weekly flights between the two airports.
Well, it was not a good Saturday for easyJet as another flight, this time from London to Lisbon, Portugal reported an unexpected event.
Double Trouble
An easyJet pilot fainted during a London to Lisbon flight on July 27, 2024, operated by Airbus A320 carrying 193 passengers from London Luton Airport.
The captain landed the aircraft safely in Lisbon. Paramedics met the plane on the runway to treat the unconscious co-pilot. They later transported the co-pilot to Santa Maria Hospital for further care.
Further, easyJet faced a similar in-flight emergency last April when a London Gatwick (LGW) to Agadir (AGA) flight diverted to Faro (FAO). The First Officer’s sudden illness prompted the unscheduled landing. The Captain executed a safe landing following standard procedures.
Crew medical emergencies continue to challenge airlines. In December, a Ryanair (FR) flight from London Stansted to Morocco diverted to Faro Airport due to pilot illness.
The Ryanair pilot announced his condition to passengers before initiating an emergency landing. This announcement also triggered a “red alert” at Faro Airport, activating emergency protocols.
FAQs
A red alert is like hitting the emergency brake for the whole airport. When it’s called, everything comes to a screeching halt – planes stop moving, ground crews pause their work, and all operations freeze. It’s the airport’s way of saying, “Hold everything! We need to make sure everyone’s safe.”
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