AN easyJet flight bound for Tenerife was forced to return to Gatwick after a reported mid-air hydraulic failure.
EasyJet flight U28033, carrying up to 244 passengers, was greeted with emergency code 7700 as it flew over France this morning.
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The easyJet flight to Tenerife reportedly suffered a hydraulic failure while flying over France (photo)Credit: Getty
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The plane was flying towards Spanish airspace, according to Flight Radar 24, when the emergency occurredCredit: flightradar24
The Airbus A321neo reportedly suffered a hydraulic failure around 8.40am, according to Flight Emergency.
It was put into a holding pattern at 6,000 feet to use up fuel before landing – which can sometimes be necessary for weight loss or maintenance issues.
Brian Marcel, 78, who was on a three-day golf holiday in Tenerife, told the DailyMail his plans were ruined when the plane turned around.
A pensioner from London said: “I only went for three days. One day was in the water.”
Brian added that there was no “panic” on the plane when the jet turned around and no one said the word “emergency”.
He continued: “We were an hour and a half into the flight when they told us they had lost the hydraulic system.
“I was worried if the flaps would work because they are a hydraulic system, but they were fine.”
Brian and the remaining 244 passengers were offered an alternative flight to Tenerife departing at 1.30pm local time.
Fellow passenger Annie Passingham, 32, told the DailyMail the landing was “a bit wobbly” but went well in the end.
She added that when they were eventually allowed to disembark, the police “allowed everyone to leave row by row”.
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A spokeswoman for Gatwick Airport said: “The aircraft has landed safely and there is no impact on airport operations.”
Flight radar shows U28033 turning over France this morning and heading back to the UK.
An easyJet spokesman said: “We can confirm that the captain of flight EZY8033 from London Gatwick to Tenerife has taken the decision to return to Gatwick as a precaution, due to a technical issue.
“The captain performed a routine landing in accordance with standard operating procedures and the passengers disembarked normally.
“We are arranging an alternative aircraft for the flight to Tenerife and would like to thank customers for their patience and apologize for any inconvenience caused as a result of the delay.
“The safety and well-being of our customers and crew is our highest priority and easyJet operates its aircraft in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines.”
In May this year, a “drunk” British man was arrested after arguing on his flight to Alicante and trying to open the plane’s door mid-flight.
Spanish police officers were waiting on the runway and caught the 28-year-old, who was allegedly so drunk that he didn’t realize the plane was still in the air.
Great chaos occurred on an EasyJet flight from London Gatwick to Alicante-Elche in Spain.
Also in May, Gatwick’s South Terminal was evacuated with dozens of frustrated passengers forced out.
Tourists at a popular airport were told to leave after a “fire alarm” went off.
But “no fire” was found after the airport fire department team searched the scene.
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The captain turned the plane around and returned to GatwickCredit: Getty
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