A Jet2 flight from Liverpool to Mallorca was forced to divert to Manchester after declaring a mid-air emergency. The pilot's message to passengers was brief: "We need to land."
Emergency Declared Near Manchester
The Boeing 737-800 issued a 7700 alert – the international code for a general emergency – at 12,875ft near Manchester, according to aviation alert service Squawk. Flight tracking website Flightradar24 showed the plane changed direction at 8am as it travelled over Shrewsbury before heading back towards Liverpool, then diverted to Manchester, landing safely before 9.45am.
Passenger Accounts
An anonymous passenger travelling with his wife, brother, and sister-in-law described the moment to the Liverpool Echo: "There was a sudden vibration and more noise than normal as soon as we took off. We felt the vibrations, we felt something. It wasn't enough to alarm anyone, but we noticed a change; we noticed something wasn't right."
He added: "Everyone was calm, we didn't speak about it, but everyone knew something was going on. Around 15 minutes into the flight, the captain said there was an issue. Everyone remained calm, and the stewards were professional."
Bird Strike Suspected
The pilot reassured passengers, saying he believed it was a bird strike and that they would need to land and check it out. The flight turned around and landed safely in Manchester. Another passenger echoed similar details, noting the plane began "vibrating" after takeoff, and the captain informed everyone of the issue about 15 minutes in. She said: "Everyone remained calm, and the stewards were professional. The captain reassured everyone. The plane landed safely at Manchester airport, and we are expecting to get on another flight to resume our journey around 11.25am."
What the 7700 Code Means
The 7700 squawk alerts air traffic controllers that the flight needs immediate priority, clearance, and assistance. Pilots input 7700 for engine failures, severe electrical or mechanical malfunctions, smoke or fire, or critical passenger medical emergencies. Controllers clear surrounding airspace and ready emergency services. Jet2 has been contacted for comment.
