In a dramatic mid-air turnaround, an Air Canada flight destined for the sunny shores of Palma de Mallorca was compelled to execute a U-turn over the Atlantic Ocean and race back to its origin. The cause? A serious medical emergency unfolding onboard.
The aircraft, an Airbus A321 operating as flight AC826, had departed from Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL) and was several hours into its journey when the situation arose. The crew, faced with the gravely ill passenger, made the critical decision to prioritise medical care over the scheduled flight path.
The plane dumped fuel for approximately 45 minutes over the ocean to reduce its weight to a safe level for landing. This standard procedure is essential for preventing potential damage to the aircraft's structure upon touchdown.
After circling to shed the fuel, the jetliner made its way back to Montreal, touching down safely. Emergency medical services were ready and waiting on the tarmac to swiftly attend to the affected individual. The nature of the medical incident has not been disclosed by the airline, respecting the passenger's privacy.
"The aircraft landed safely and was met by paramedics," an Air Canada spokesperson confirmed. "The customers whose travel plans were impacted have been rebooked. The safety of our customers and crew is our highest priority."
The event serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of air travel and the extensive protocols airlines have in place to handle such crises. Passengers on the disrupted flight were subsequently reaccommodated on other services to continue their travels to the Spanish island.
