NEED TO KNOW
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Virgin Atlantic Flight VS165 diverted to Shannon, Ireland, after experiencing an issue with one of its engines
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The plane was more than three hours into its journey from London to Montego Bay, Jamaica, when the incident occurred
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The Airbus A330-900 was carrying 241 passengers, 10 crew members, and two pilots when it safely landed in Shannon
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Passengers were offered accommodations and options to rebook or receive refunds after returning to London Heathrow, an airline spokesperson told PEOPLE
A passenger plane was forced to make an emergency landing after it reportedly experienced engine failure while flying over the Atlantic Ocean.
Virgin Atlantic Flight VS165 was more than three hours into its journey from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Jamaica’s Sangster International Airport (MBJ) in Montego Bay on Saturday, May 30, when it experienced an issue with one of its engines, according to The Clare Herald, the Jamaica Observer and the St. Vincent Times.
In a statement to PEOPLE, a Virgin Atlantic spokesperson confirmed the aircraft was diverted to Shannon, Ireland, as a “precautionary measure following a technical issue with the aircraft.”
Virgin Atlantic plane at London Heathrow Airport
Credit: Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty
The spokesperson added that a “replacement aircraft was sent immediately to Shannon to bring customers back to Heathrow where they were all offered accommodation.” The airline has also been in contact with impacted passengers to “discuss their options, which include rebooking or a refund,” per the spokesperson.
The Airbus A330-900 had 241 customers on board when the incident occurred, as well as 10 crew members and two pilots.
According to FlightAware, the plane departed from LHR at 4:04 p.m. British Summer Time (BST) and landed in Shannon around 9:25 p.m. Irish Standard Time (IST) after diverting. Per the tracking site, the plane was flying over the Atlantic Ocean when it was forced to turn around mid-flight.
Shannon Airport in Ireland
Credit: Niall Carson/PA Images via Getty
In a statement shared with PEOPLE, a spokesperson for Shannon Airport also confirmed the diversion, citing a “technical issue” as the reason.
“The aircraft landed safely at 9.23 p.m. and was met by emergency services, including airport fire and rescue, Clare County Fire and Rescue Service, members of An Garda Síochána, and the National Ambulance Service, as part of standard procedures,” the statement continued.
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The spokesperson added that passengers were able to disembark the aircraft safely and were then brought to the terminal.
“Following clearance, passengers and crew departed Shannon to return to London Heathrow on a replacement aircraft,” the statement concluded.
Read the original article on People
