A Fiji Airways flight to Nadi declared an emergency and diverted over New Caledonia.
The Fiji Airways FJ960 from Adelaide to Nadi departed on time at 13:05 ACDT for a 5-hour flight time.
The Boeing 737 MAX climbed to 37,000 ft over Australia and started to cross the Coral Sea when the crew declared an emergency.
Pilots squawked 7700 (general emergency) when reaching New Caledonia, on path to Fiji.
The aircraft (registration DQ-FAE) lost altitude in circles before diverting to Nouméa.
Fiji Airways has confirmed the incident.
“We wish to inform our passengers and the public that Fiji Airways Flight FJ960 from Adelaide to Nadi was diverted to Noumea due to a medical emergency on board,” said Fiji Airways.
Fiji Airways, formerly Air Pacific, is the flag carrier of Fiji. It operates international services from its hubs in Fiji to 27 destinations.