An EasyJet flight was forced to declare an emergency shortly after departing from Manchester Airport on Thursday. The aircraft, flight U22253, was en route to Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt when it turned back due to a medical incident on board.
Flight tracking data shows the Airbus A320neo halted its climb at 3,700 feet, cutting short the five-hour journey almost immediately after takeoff. The crew transmitted Squawk 7700, a code alerting air traffic control to a general emergency, and followed emergency checklists before returning to Manchester.
Local emergency crews and airport fire services were on standby as the plane made an unscheduled precautionary landing. An EasyJet spokesperson confirmed the diversion was due to a passenger requiring urgent medical attention, who was met by medical services upon arrival. The flight later continued to Sharm El Sheikh that evening.
This incident follows another EasyJet flight that made an emergency landing in Rome after a passenger left a phone charging on a powerbank in luggage. The flight from Hurghada to Luton was diverted on Tuesday, with passengers accommodated overnight.
