An easyJet flight was forced to divert to Manchester Airport after declaring a mid-air emergency over the UK. The flight, originally bound for Edinburgh Airport, had to change its course due to strong winds. Flight EJU7835 departed from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport at around 6:15 am on Thursday and was scheduled to land in Edinburgh at approximately 7:50 am. However, after encountering difficulties with landing, the pilot decided to divert to Manchester.
Data from FlightRadar24 showed the aircraft attempting to land at Edinburgh Airport but performing a ‘go-around’ maneuver instead. Subsequently, the plane changed its route towards Manchester and initiated an emergency procedure by squawking 7700. Squawking 7700 indicates a general emergency situation, prompting coordinated responses from air traffic controllers and ground crews.
The flight successfully landed at Manchester Airport around 8:20 am. EasyJet stated that the winds at Edinburgh were beyond safe limits for the aircraft, necessitating the diversion to Manchester. Coach transfers were arranged for passengers to return to Edinburgh.
The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for strong winds in various parts of Scotland, with gusts reaching up to 70 mph. Forecasters cautioned about potential disruptions to transportation and services, including power outages. Despite the challenging weather conditions, other flights were reportedly able to land at Edinburgh Airport that morning.
An easyJet spokesperson expressed regret for the inconvenience caused by the weather-related diversion, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to customer and crew safety.
