A Jet2 flight traveling from Spain to Scotland was forced to declare an emergency while cruising over the English Channel this afternoon.
Flight LS178, a Boeing 737-800 (registration G-JZBH), departed Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport at 14:20 CET, bound for Glasgow. The flight appeared routine for the first two hours of the journey until the aircraft reached the airspace between northern France and the southern coast of England.
Rapid Descent and Squawk 7700
At approximately 16:20 CET, the flight crew transmitted a Squawk 7700 code—the international signal for a general emergency. Aviation tracking data showed the aircraft initiating an immediate and rapid descent from its cruising altitude as it turned away from its original flight path toward Scotland.
While the specific nature of the emergency has not yet been confirmed by Jet2, a “7700” code allows Air Traffic Control (ATC) to clear the surrounding airspace and provide the distressed aircraft with priority handling for a landing.
Flight Details
| Flight Number | LS178 |
| Aircraft Type | Boeing 737-800 |
| Registration | G-JZBH |
| Origin | Alicante (ALC) |
| Destination | Glasgow (GLA) |
| Emergency Code | 7700 (General Emergency) |
Diversion in Progress
The aircraft is currently being vectored by ATC toward a nearby airport for an unscheduled landing. Emergency services are standardly positioned on the ground as a precautionary measure for such diversions to ensure the safety of the passengers and crew upon arrival.
Jet2 has not yet released an official statement regarding the number of passengers on board or the technical cause of the diversion.
UPDATE 15:50 GMT
The flight is diverting to Bristol due to a medical emergency.
UPDATE 15:58 GMT
Touch down.
