A flight operated by Jet2 traveling from the United Kingdom to the Canary Islands was redirected following the declaration of a “red code alert.” The fully booked holiday jet, originally bound for Gran Canaria from Bournemouth, was rerouted to Faro, Portugal, due to a reported presence of an unusual odor in the cabin.
The situation prompted a “red code alert” at the Algarve airport, leading to the dispatch of emergency response units. Fortunately, the aircraft landed safely in Faro. Local reports attribute the diversion to the detection of “smoke in the cabin.”
Jet2 Flight LS3643 took off from Bournemouth at 9:55 am and was scheduled to reach Gran Canaria approximately 3.5 hours later. However, it landed in Faro around 12:25 pm local time in Portugal.
A spokesperson from Jet2 stated that the decision to divert the flight to Faro was a precautionary measure taken by the well-trained crew upon detecting an unusual scent in the cabin. The airline assured that safety was never compromised, and the aircraft landed without incident. A replacement aircraft will transport passengers from Faro to Gran Canaria, with apologies extended for the delay.
It is estimated that over 140 passengers were onboard the Boeing 747 aircraft. Reports from Portuguese media suggest that some crew members may have required assistance due to smoke inhalation.
In a similar incident last December, another Jet2 plane traveling from London Stansted to the Canary Islands was diverted to Faro, Portugal, under a red alert. The Boeing 737, initially bound for Fuerteventura, landed at Faro Airport instead.
Emergency services, including paramedics and firefighters, were on standby at Faro Airport as part of the red alert protocol. Civil Protection reported the mobilization of 35 vehicles and over 80 responders, comprising workers, police, ambulances, and firefighters.
Squawk Alert, a service monitoring emergencies declared by commercial airlines, reported that the crew of Jet2 flight EXS83LV from London to Fuerteventura had declared an emergency and opted to divert to Faro.
In a separate incident earlier the same month, a plane carrying returning UK tourists diverted due to a malfunctioning onboard toilet. Ryanair flight FR1667, en route to Bristol from Fuerteventura, diverted to Lanzarote after a malfunction in some of the toilets shortly after departure.