A TUI flight from Birmingham to Menorca declared an emergency mid-air over France on Saturday morning, leading to a diversion to London Gatwick Airport.
Flight BY7614, operated by a Boeing 737 MAX 8, had reached a cruising altitude of 37,000 feet when the crew activated the emergency code 7700, which granted them priority handling by air traffic control.
After signalling the emergency, the aircraft turned around, prompting air traffic control to give the flight immediate priority. The crew reportedly informed controllers of a potential tyre issue, although the airline has not yet confirmed the exact cause.
The plane landed safely at Gatwick shortly after 8am and was guided to a remote stand. No injuries were reported among the passengers or crew during the incident.
Following the flight’s arrival, Gatwick Airport temporarily suspended certain operations. Normal airport activity resumed once the aircraft was secured away from the main terminals.
While reports suggest a burst tyre may have prompted the emergency, TUI has not officially disclosed the reason behind the diversion. An investigation into the incident is expected.
Originally published by UKNIP.
