EasyJet flight from UK forced to divert back to airport after 'extraordinary circumstance'
The easyJet flight and was bound for Izmir, Turkey, but was forced to turn around an hour after take-off
Passenger aircraft, operated by EasyJet Plc, queue to take-off at London Luton Airport in Luton, U.K.,
(Image: Bloomberg via Getty Images )
An easyJet plane had to return to a UK airport following an "extraordinary circumstance" which the airline described as "out of our control."
The EZY2159 flight destined for Izmir, Turkey, had departed from Manchester Airport just before 5pm on Monday but reached only as far as Norfolk when it abruptly turned back towards Manchester. The FlightRadar map captured the moment the aircraft executed a sharp U-turn over the North Sea and touched down in Manchester again at approximately 5.50pm, about an hour after take-off.
EasyJet attributed the diversion to a "passenger welfare issue", labelling the event as "out of our control" and an "extraordinary circumstance". An announcement on the easyJet website informed that the flight would be grounded overnight, with arrangements for a subsequent service scheduled for Tuesday morning.
The specifics of the incident have not been disclosed. A later update at 9pm said: "We're sorry that your flight has been delayed overnight. This is due to a passenger welfare issue. We are working hard to arrange your new flight for tomorrow. Once again, we're very sorry for the disruption to your travel plans." For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
The Mirror has contacted easyJet for comment.
This incident occurs amidst reports that numerous UK holidaymakers are opting for destinations in North Africa over traditional European vacation spots, according to travel firms.
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EasyJet flight forced to divert back to UK airport after 'extraordinary circumstance'
(Image: flightradar24 )
Experts suggest that the allure of high-quality hotels at a fraction of the cost compared to similar establishments in Spain, France and Italy is drawing an increasing number of holidaymakers to North Africa.
Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia are all seeing a surge in visitors from the UK.
Data from aviation analysts Cirium indicates that 19,847 flights are expected to operate routes from UK airports to these countries this year, more than double the 8,653 flights recorded in 2019.
In contrast, flights to Spain and Portugal are predicted to see a modest increase of 10% and 9% respectively over the same period.
This trend implies that many travellers seeking superior accommodation without the hefty price tag are willing to endure longer flights, despite budget airlines like easyJet and Ryanair offering non-reclining seats and lacking onboard entertainment.
For instance, flights from Gatwick airport in West Sussex to Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh take approximately five hours and 20 minutes. This equates to an additional hour and 45 minutes in the air compared to journeys to the popular southern Spanish destination of Alicante.
In March, easyJet introduced flights between Gatwick and Cape Verde, off the west coast of Africa, marking its longest route serving England. These flights span 2,332 nautical miles and take six hours and 10 minutes.
Travel firm Tui reported that bookings for summer holidays in Egypt, both flight-only and package deals, have seen a 30% increase compared to last year.
The travel giant Tui has hailed a surge in bookings for destinations like Tunisia and Morocco, citing "double-digit growth" for the former and robust interest for the latter.
Chris Logan, Tui's UK commercial director, lauded these North African hotspots for their "fantastic value for money", making them formidable rivals against traditional European holiday spots.
Speaking to PA, Logan said: "There's good quality accommodation and great weather beyond the traditional summer season."
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He added: "Even in the winter months temperatures are mild, making them a perfect choice for year-round travel."
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