Two passenger flights travelling from the US to Europe diverted to Shannon Airport this morning, after both flights crew declared medical emergencies.
The American Airlines flights from North Carolina nd New York were destined for Greece and Italy at the time.
American Airlines flight AA-326 departed Charlotte, North Carolina shortly before midnight Irish time, destined for Athens in Greece, and was about five hours into its journey when the crew made the decision to divert to Shannon.
The flight crew made contact with air traffic controllers here and initially advised them they needed to divert to Dublin Airport, but the crew of the Boeing 777-223 (ER) jet subsequently confirmed they wished to divert to Shannon, because of poor weather conditions in Dublin.
It’s understood that crew reported they had two passengers on board who required medical attention.
Authorities at Shannon were advised of the unscheduled arrival, while the National Ambulance Service was also requested to dispatch resources to the airport.
The flight landed shortly before 7 o’clock this morning and taxied to the terminal, where paramedics were standing by.
Meanwhile, a second American Airlines flight, travelling from New York to Milan in Italy, also diverted to Shannon Airport.
Flight AA-198 departed New York’s JFK International Airport shortly after midnight Irish time and was almost five hours into its journey and about 300 kilometres sourthwest of Shannon, when the crew requested clearance to divert.
The crew confirmed they wished to divert to Shannon to seek medical attention for a male passenger in his 50s.
The National Ambulance Service was contacted again and requested to mobilise paramedics to the airport.
The flight landed just after half past seven and the patient was transported by ambulance to hospital for treatment.
Flight 198 continued its journey to Milan at around 8.50, while the second flight, AA-326, resumed its journey to Athens at 9.53am.
