LONDON— A British Airways (BA) flight from Larnaca International Airport (LCA) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) declared a mid-air emergency on September 27 after a medical incident involving a passenger.
Flight BA711 was operating an Airbus A321neo when its crew diverted the aircraft to Luxembourg Airport (LUX) after transmitting the international 7700 emergency squawk over French airspace.
The British Airways aircraft departed Larnaca at around 7am local time and was cruising at approximately 34,000 feet when the crew activated the emergency transponder code.
The aircraft subsequently descended and diverted toward Luxembourg, where it landed safely before continuing the journey to London Heathrow later the same day.
Emergency Declared Midflight Over France
BA711 was operating the Larnaca-Heathrow service when the crew transmitted squawk 7700 after entering French airspace.
The code indicates a general emergency and alerts air traffic controllers that an aircraft requires priority assistance.
Flight-tracking information showed the Airbus A321neo leaving its cruising altitude after the emergency declaration. The crew then requested a diversion to Luxembourg, which was identified as a suitable airport for the aircraft.
British Airways confirmed that the diversion was connected to a medical incident on board, according to reports citing the airline.
However, details about the passenger involved and the nature of the medical condition were not publicly disclosed.
A321neo Diverts Safely To Luxembourg Airport
The aircraft involved was an Airbus A321neo registered G-NEOR. Flight records identify the aircraft as having departed Larnaca at about 06:58 local time, while other tracking data recorded the flight as operating the scheduled LCA-LHR service before its diversion.
BA711 landed at Luxembourg after spending several hours in the air. The diversion changed the original operating plan, but the aircraft remained in service and did not terminate its journey in Luxembourg.
The use of Luxembourg allowed the crew to bring the aircraft down at an airport capable of handling the A321neo while addressing the medical situation.
The decision also avoided continuing the flight toward Heathrow while the onboard emergency required attention.
Flight Later Continues Safely To Heathrow
After landing in Luxembourg, the aircraft remained on the ground before departing again at around 12:50pm local time.
Flight-tracking records show that BA711 subsequently continued to London Heathrow, completing the final portion of its scheduled journey, Mirror reported.
The aircraft reached Heathrow at about 12:51pm BST, several hours later than its original scheduled arrival.
The flight had initially been scheduled to reach Heathrow at approximately 10:10am BST.
The incident resulted in a significant delay for passengers, but the aircraft ultimately completed the Larnaca-Heathrow service after the unscheduled stop in Luxembourg.
No further details about the medical incident were immediately made public.
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