MANCHESTER, UK — An easyJet flight operating between the Isle of Man and Liverpool was forced to declare a mid-air emergency and divert to Manchester Airport following an aborted landing sequence.
The short-haul flight, U2516, was operating its standard route across the Irish Sea using an Airbus A319, registered as G-EZBH.
Flight tracking data indicated that the aircraft departed the Isle of Man approximately one hour prior to the incident. Trouble began as the plane neared its intended destination at Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
While attempting to land on Runway 27 at Liverpool, the flight crew executed a “go-around”due to an aircraft blocking the runway at Liverpool airport. Current weather over Liverpool is sunny with only 5kt wind.
Following the aborted landing, the Airbus A319 entered a holding pattern, circling at an altitude of 6,000 feet just outside Liverpool. Shortly thereafter, the crew transmitted a Squawk 7700 code via the aircraft’s transponder, the international signal indicating a general airborne emergency.
Air traffic controllers immediately prioritized the flight, providing vectors to steer the aircraft away from Liverpool and toward Manchester Airport, which features longer runways and more extensive emergency handling facilities.
Emergency response teams and airport fire services at Manchester were placed on standby to meet the twin-engine aircraft upon arrival, in line with standard precautionary protocols for unscheduled emergency landings.
UPDATE 16:05 BST
Touche down on runway 23R.
