Mystery as Jet2 Flight Spends Over an Hour Circling Merseyside
A Jet2 passenger plane caused confusion and speculation after it was observed circling over Merseyside for more than an hour on Sunday, November 16, before ultimately diverting back to its departure airport.
Flight LS1761's Unplanned Detour
The aircraft, operating as flight LS1761, had taken off from Manchester Airport bound for Agadir in Morocco. It departed slightly behind schedule at 10.42am, but instead of continuing its journey south, the plane began circling the skies above the St Helens and Rainford area around midday.
According to flight tracking data and reports from local plane-spotters, the Boeing 737 performed more than 15 laps over the region. This unusual activity continued for well over sixty minutes, capturing the attention of residents and aviation enthusiasts alike.
Diverting Back to Manchester
Official travel information from Jet2 subsequently confirmed the flight would not be reaching its original destination that afternoon. Instead, the airline stated the plane was diverting back to Manchester Airport, with an expected landing time of approximately 2.10pm.
Aviation experts and observers on social media suggested a likely reason for the prolonged circling was the need to burn off excess fuel. This is a standard safety procedure for commercial aircraft that need to land well below their maximum take-off weight, often due to a technical issue discovered shortly after departure.
The airline's website listed a revised schedule, indicating the flight was now due to depart Manchester again at 3.15pm and arrive in Agadir around 8.10pm local time, several hours after its original planned arrival of 3.30pm.
Cause of the Diversion Remains Unclear
As of the latest reports, Jet2 has not publicly disclosed the specific reason for flight LS1761's unexpected return. The incident highlights the complex safety protocols in place for commercial aviation, where passenger safety always takes precedence over schedule.
Passengers on board the flight faced a significant delay to their holiday or return home, but were safely accommodated on the rescheduled departure from Manchester.
