Jet2 Flight to Tenerife Faces Mid-Air Medical Emergency Over Infant Illness
A Jet2 flight from the United Kingdom to Tenerife was forced into an emergency situation yesterday after a baby fell ill onboard, requiring immediate medical attention. The incident occurred on flight EXS2V traveling from London Stansted to Tenerife South, prompting Spanish air traffic controllers to grant priority landing.
Priority Landing Arranged for Infant with Respiratory Issues
Spanish aviation authorities confirmed that the flight crew reported a baby experiencing respiratory problems just before arrival at Tenerife South Airport. Air traffic controllers stated: "The crew of the flight from the UK arriving at Tenerife South informs us that they require priority to attend to a baby with respiratory problems. We are shortening their approach as much as possible while coordinating medical assistance on the ground with the airport."
The aircraft landed approximately nine minutes early at around 2:20 PM local time yesterday afternoon. While the plane's early arrival facilitated quicker medical response, the current condition of the child and whether hospital transfer occurred remains unclear as of today.
Second Jet2 Incident Within Days
This medical emergency represents the second concerning incident involving Jet2 flights in recent days. Just two days prior, another Jet2 aircraft traveling from Bournemouth to Gran Canaria was diverted to Faro Airport in Portugal following reports of smoke in the cabin.
That earlier incident triggered a 'red code alert' at Faro Airport, mobilizing emergency response vehicles as a precaution. Flight LS3643, carrying more than 140 passengers aboard a Boeing 747, departed Bournemouth at 9:55 AM and was scheduled to arrive in Gran Canaria approximately three-and-a-half hours later before diverting to Faro around 12:25 PM local time.
Airline Response to Previous Incident
Following the Bournemouth flight diversion, a Jet2 spokesperson explained: "Our highly trained crew operating flight LS3643 from Bournemouth to Gran Canaria elected to divert to Faro as a precautionary measure after an aroma was detected in the cabin. At no point was safety compromised whatsoever, and the aircraft landed safely."
The airline arranged for a standby aircraft to transport affected passengers from Faro to their original Gran Canaria destination while apologizing for resulting delays.
Aviation authorities continue to monitor both incidents as standard procedure, though neither appears to have resulted in serious injuries. The rapid response to yesterday's medical emergency demonstrates established protocols for in-flight health crises, particularly involving vulnerable passengers like infants.
