A transatlantic passenger jet diverted to Shannon Airport this afternoon after the crew declared a medical emergency.
Air France flight AF-475 was travelling from Panama in Central America to Paris in France at the time. There were 323 passengers and a crew of 13 on board the Airbus A350-900 jet.
The flight crew made contact with air traffic controllers in Ireland and advised them of their situation. Authorities at Shannon were notified of the unscheduled arrival while the National Ambulance Service was also requested to mobilise resources to the airport.
Shannon Airport’s Fire and Rescue Service was also put on standby after the flight crew confirmed they would be making an overweight landing. This is a precautionary procedure at Shannon in the event an aircraft’s braking system overheats during an overweight landing.
Fire crews took up positions adjacent to the airport’s runway ahead of the jet’s arrival and followed the aircraft along the runway after it landed at 1.25pm.
The aircraft taxied to the terminal building, accompanied by fire crews, and was met by ground crews and ambulance paramedics.
The patient was assessed at the airport before being transported to University Hospital Limerick for treatment. The flight continued its journey to Paris shortly after 2.30pm.
Of the estimated 50 diversions to Shannon Airport this year, 15 have been medical emergencies.