21 April 2023 , 10:33
1262
0
A packed easyJet plane has had to make an emergency landing on the Algarve after the pilot fell ill.
The co-pilot is said to have landed the aircraft with 100 people on board.
It diverted to Faro in Portugal after taking off from London Gatwick just after 6.30am this morning bound for Agadir in Morocco.
It was due to arrive at 9.25am local time.
Online flight trackers are showing the Airbus A320’s unscheduled stop following the mid-air alert.
Drunk easyJet passenger groped female flight attendant and tried to trip another
Leading Portuguese daily Correio da Manha is reporting a Faro airport source has told it the diversion is the result of the pilot suffering an “indisposition.”
Faro Airport in Portugal (Getty)It said a red alert had been activated and the co-pilot successfully landed the plane.
An easyJet spokesperson told The Mirror in a statement: "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.”
It is not yet clear what time the plane will now reach its destination and whether the pilot will continue on the flight or has been taken to hospital.
Earlier this week, another easyJet flight from the UK was forced to make an emergency landing because of two unruly passengers.
The co-pilot had to land the plane instead (AFP via Getty Images)The aircraft had taken off from Liverpool John Lennon Airport headed for Turkey, but was forced to touch down in Munich - where gun-toting cops waited.
Witnesses said the pair were left on the plane with German police.
EasyJet lets blind boy achieve dream of making boarding announcement at airport
Passengers reported feeling "unsafe" as a result of the pair's behaviour, but praised the air crew for their professionalism.
An easyJet spokesman said: "easyJet can confirm flight EZY3409 from Liverpool to Dalaman on 19 April diverted to Munich and was met by police due to two passengers behaving disruptively onboard.
Meanwhile, earlier in April, an influencer shared a terrifying video showing panic break out during a turbulent stretch of her flight from Luanda in Angola to Portugal.
Diana Assis, from Brazilia, Brazil, recalled the captain warning that they would likely experience severe turbulence.
The contact creator filmed a scene inside the cabin, showing that food and belongings were left scattered all over the floor.
In the footage, she appears to laugh as the plane starts to vibrate, but the laughter suddenly stops when a severe jolt spills the contents of her wine glass, splashing onto the ceiling as people are screaming in terror.