GLASGOW — Flight crew aboard an easyJet flight bound for Scotland were forced to alert operational command and prepare ground support after a suspected stomach virus broke out mid-air, leaving at least eight passengers violently ill.
Flight U23116, operated by an Airbus A320neo (registration G-UZEG), departed Sharm el-Sheikh late Wednesday evening for an overnight cross-continental trip to Glasgow.
The journey turned chaotic during the early hours of Thursday, October 22, as the aircraft was cruising through Dutch airspace. According to reports from the flight deck, the pilots contacted the easyJet Flight Operations Center to report a rapidly spreading medical situation in the cabin. The crew cited a suspected norovirus outbreak on board, noting that at least eight passengers were simultaneously suffering from severe nausea and vomiting.
Norovirus, a highly contagious bug responsible for acute gastroenteritis, can spread rapidly in enclosed spaces such as commercial airliner cabins, often leading to sudden onset symptoms including vomiting and watery diarrhea.
Despite the challenging conditions in the cabin, the crew maintained control of the aircraft and continued on the planned flight path toward the UK.
Upon entering British airspace, aircraft tracking showed G-UZEG initiating its descent into Scotland. The flight touched down safely on Runway 23 at Glasgow Airport at approximately 2:45 AM BST. Medical personnel and airport operations were briefed ahead of the landing to assist the affected holidaymakers upon arrival.
