A Qatar Airways flight en route from London to Doha was compelled to make an unscheduled landing at Gatwick Airport after encountering a technical issue during the flight. The incident, which occurred on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, prompted the crew to declare an emergency and divert to the West Sussex airport.
Passengers reported hearing unusual noises and experiencing minor turbulence before the pilot announced the need for an emergency landing. The aircraft landed safely, and all passengers and crew disembarked without injury. Emergency services were on standby as a precautionary measure.
Details of the Incident
The flight, QR 012, departed from London Heathrow and was approximately an hour into its journey when the issue arose. Aviation authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the technical fault.
Qatar Airways issued a statement confirming the incident and assuring passengers that safety remains their top priority. "We apologise for any inconvenience caused and are working to accommodate affected passengers on alternative flights," the airline said.
Passenger Reactions
Several passengers took to social media to describe their experience. One traveller tweeted, "Grateful for the professionalism of the crew. It was a tense moment, but we landed safely." Another praised the swift response of the ground staff at Gatwick.
Gatwick Airport officials confirmed that the incident caused minimal disruption to other flights, with operations returning to normal shortly after the emergency landing.
