A weather warning for wind covers much of the country today
A weather warning for wind covers much of the country today
An easyJet flight to Edinburgh Airport declared a mid-air emergency over the UK due to the unsettled weather conditions and high winds. The flight was diverted to Manchester Airport this morning, March 12.
Much of the UK is under a yellow weather warning for wind today. The Met Office said: “A period of strong winds, accompanied by heavy rain, is expected on Thursday with some transport disruption possible.” Further detail warned strong winds are expected during Thursday associated with an active weather front moving southeastwards across the UK.
The weather agency said: “Gusts of 50-55 mph are expected widely, with some coastal locations and areas downwind of high ground seeing gusts of 60mph or even 70mph in a few places. Winds will ease from the north through the day.”
The flight departed for Edinburgh from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol before 6.15am and was due to land at around 7.50am. The plane landed at around 8.20am in Manchester. EasyJet said the winds in Scotland were “outside the limits of the aircraft” and that coach transfers for customers back to Edinburgh had been organised.
Data from flight tracking website FlightRadar24 shows the plane attempting to land at Edinburgh Airport before performing a ‘go-around’ – a procedure where pilots abort a landing attempt, turn around and try again.
The plane turned south-west and headed for Manchester before the pilot initiated an emergency procedure known as squawking 7700, The Manchester Evening News reports.
A spokesperson for easyJet said: “Flight EJU7835 from Amsterdam to Edinburgh this morning was required to divert to Manchester due to winds gusting outside the limits of the aircraft and so we have arranged onward coach transfers to Edinburgh for customers.
“The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is our highest priority and while this was outside of our control, we are sorry for the inconvenience caused by the weather.”
The weather agency said you should give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.
You should be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly. When a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.
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