A flight the US to Kuwait diverted to Shannon Airport in the early hours of the morning.
Kuwait Airways flight KU-118 was travelling from New York in the United States to Kuwait City in Kuwait at the time. There were 286 passengers on board.
The Boeing 777-369(ER) jet was about 160 kilometres northwest of Donegal when the crew made contact with air traffic controllers at Shannon to advise them of their situation.
The crew confirmed they required to divert as a passenger had fallen ill and required medical attention. The crew of the also told controllers that they would need dump fuel before landing. This is a done to ensure an aircraft touches within safe landing weights limits.
Authorities at Shannon Airport were advised of the unscheduled arrival while the National Ambulance Service was also requested to dispatch resources to the airport.
As the crew had to dump fuel, the airport’s own fire and rescue service was notified and placed on standby. This is standard precautionary procedure when an aircraft has to make an overweight landing or has jettisoned fuel before landing.
The flight landed safely at 5.15am and was pursued along the runway by fire crews who remained with the jet until it reached its parking position.
The passenger was assessed at the airport before being taken by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick for further treatment.
The flight continued its journey at around 8.15am.
Of the estimated 55 diversions to Shannon Airport this year, 16 have been medical emergencies.
