A SunExpress flight bound for the Turkish resort city of Antalya was forced to make an emergency return to Manchester Airport on Monday afternoon following a medical crisis on board.
MANCHESTER – Flight XQ593, operated by a Boeing 737-800 (registration TC-SNT), departed Manchester at 1:33 PM BST. Shortly after takeoff from runway 23L, the aircraft abruptly halted its ascent at 18,000 feet as the crew alerted air traffic control to a developing situation in the cabin.
Rapid Response and Squawk 7700
The flight crew officially declared an emergency by transmitting a Squawk 7700 code (the international signal for an immediate emergency). Reports indicate the diversion was necessitated by a passenger requiring urgent medical attention.
The aircraft entered a brief holding pattern to prepare for an overweight landing before being cleared for an immediate approach.
Timeline of Events
| Event | Detail |
| Departure | 1:33 PM BST from Runway 23L |
| Emergency Declared | Squawk 7700 at 18,000 feet |
| Landing | 2:18 PM BST on Runway 23R |
| Total Flight Time | 45 minutes |
Swift Resolution
Upon touching down on runway 23R, the aircraft was met by emergency services. Medical personnel boarded the plane to provide the necessary intervention for the affected passenger.
A spokesperson for the airline confirmed that once the passenger was safely transferred for care and the standard safety procedures were completed, the aircraft was cleared for departure. The flight subsequently took off for a second time, successfully continuing its journey to Antalya Airport.
