Double Emergency Shakes Gatwick Airport
Gatwick Airport faced a tense night on Monday, 26th February, as two commercial flights diverted and landed under emergency conditions within the space of an hour.
EasyJet Flight Declares Emergency, Lands Safely
EasyJet flight EZY41TX, flying from Funchal to London Gatwick, triggered alarm bells after issuing a distress signal (squawking 7700) upon entering UK airspace. The plane reported a possible burning smell in the cockpit but managed to touch down safely at Gatwick around 11:30pm. Ground services were quickly on hand to assist.
Ryanair Flight Forced to Divert Due to Technical Glitch
Meanwhile, Ryanair flight FR3945 from Faro to Bournemouth was forced to divert to Gatwick, landing just before 10:41pm. The aircraft experienced problems with its flap settings — vital for controlling speed and landing angle. Officials rerouted the plane to Gatwick’s longer runway to guarantee a secure landing.
Emergency Crews Act Fast, Passengers Protected
Both incidents prompted immediate response from Gatwick’s emergency services to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
Ryanair told Sussex News: “This flight from Faro to Bournemouth diverted to Gatwick due to a minor technical issue with the aircraft. The aircraft landed normally at Gatwick and was inspected by engineers who cleared the aircraft to return to service later that same day.”
Attempts to reach Gatwick Airport and EasyJet for comment have so far been unsuccessful.
