TUI flight BY439, travelling from Aristides Pereira International Airport in Cape Verde to Manchester, was forced to divert to East Midlands Airport after declaring a general emergency with squawk code 7700. The diversion came as the aircraft ran critically low on fuel while circling in a holding pattern during a security incident at Manchester Airport.
Security incident causes holding pattern
The incident unfolded on Friday night (August 21) when an individual was reported "encroaching" onto the airfield at Manchester Airport. Greater Manchester Police confirmed that a 17-year-old has been detained under the Mental Health Act, with enquiries still ongoing.
The Boeing 737 MAX, which can carry up to 230 passengers, was directed by Air Traffic Control to circle in a holding pattern during its final approach following the security breach. At least 17 flights were left circling above the airport while the situation was being resolved, with seven aircraft diverted to alternative airports.
Emergency declared as fuel runs low
The TUI flight joined the holding pattern as directed at 6,000ft above the Peak District, but after around 20 minutes of circling, fuel levels began to drop dangerously low. Air Live reports that the aircraft subsequently declared a general emergency by broadcasting squawk code 7700. This code is transmitted by pilots when an aircraft encounters an in-flight emergency requiring immediate priority handling and assistance from air traffic controllers.
Such emergencies encompass mechanical failures, onboard safety threats, medical crises or unclear and escalating situations. The code serves as a silent "mayday", prompting air traffic control to clear the airspace and alert emergency services on the ground, before guiding the aircraft to the nearest suitable runway.
Passenger describes ordeal
The plane was redirected to East Midlands Airport, touching down shortly after midnight on Saturday, owing to strict fuel restrictions and uncertainty surrounding the duration of the closure at Manchester. The aircraft was subsequently refuelled and departed again approximately an hour after landing.
Manchester Airport reopened to arrivals just 15 minutes later. The short hop from East Midlands Airport to Manchester took a mere 18 minutes, with the flight eventually touching down at 1.35am on Saturday.
Passenger Angela Slater shared her account of being aboard the TUI flight from Cape Verde. Writing on Facebook, she said: "Our flight from Cape Verde was one affected. Had to divert to the East Midlands, refuel and then come back to Manchester.
"Should have landed around 11.30pm instead [it was] 1.30am-ish, got home at 3.30am. But the flight [crew and captain] were amazing, kept us informed as much as they could and did what they had to do in a crazy situation.
"We didn't have enough fuel to stay up in the air for an unguaranteed time. Think we did about 7 laps before diverting. Never ever seen so many planes up in the sky when actually been on a flight before."
The person arrested was transported to hospital from the scene.
