Jet2 flight from Glasgow lands 1,000km from destination after mid-air emergency

A Jet2 flight originating from Glasgow Airport was forced to divert nearly 1,000km from its intended route after a mid-air emergency occurred during its journey to Lanzarote. The Boeing 737-800 operated under flight number LS167 took off at approximately 3:30pm on Thursday, July 17, 2026, bound for Arrecife Airport. Two and a half hours into the flight, while flying at an altitude of 37,000 feet over the Atlantic Ocean near the Portuguese coast, the crew declared an emergency. Pilots initiated a rapid descent toward Faro Airport in southern Portugal, where emergency services were prepared to assist. The emergency was triggered by a medical issue on board, though the specific nature of the incident was not disclosed. As part of standard protocol, the crew activated a squawk code of 7700, signaling an urgent need for priority handling with air traffic control. This code is used for general emergencies not related to hijackings or communication failures. Flight tracking data from FlightRadar24 revealed the aircraft’s course shifted sharply westward before descending, followed by a northbound turn leading to a safe landing in Faro at around 6:20pm. After a brief stopover lasting approximately two hours, the plane departed Faro at 8:00pm and reached Lanzarote at 9:35pm, arriving roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes late compared to its original schedule. Passengers were reportedly informed of the change in plans and reassured that their safety was the top priority. The airline has been contacted for further comment, though no official statement has yet been released. This incident follows a similar occurrence involving an easyJet flight earlier in the week. On Wednesday, July 17, 2026, flight U22164, departing from Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, encountered an emergency while approaching Manchester Airport. The Airbus A320-200 deviated from its planned trajectory and entered a holding pattern north of the city. Approximately one hour after takeoff, the crew alerted air traffic control, prompting a direct reroute to the approach path. The plane landed safely on Runway 05R at 3:05pm, about 45 minutes behind its scheduled arrival time of 2:20pm. Both incidents highlight the unpredictable nature of aviation emergencies and the critical role of air traffic control in ensuring safe outcomes. While the exact cause of the medical issue on the Jet2 flight remains undisclosed, such occurrences underscore the importance of emergency protocols and the readiness of ground services to respond swiftly. Airlines continue to rely on these procedures to manage unforeseen situations while prioritizing passenger welfare.