A US-bound passenger flight diverted to Shannon Airport this afternoon after the crew declared a medical emergency.
Austrian Airlines flight OS-35 was travelling from Vienna in Austria to New York’s JFK International Airport at the time.
Shortly before 12.30pm, the flight crew contacted air traffic controllers to advise them of their situation. The flight was passing south of Shannon Airport and continued past the Clare coastline before turning back.
Authorities at Shannon Airport were advised of the diversion while the National Ambulance Service was also alerted and requested to dispatch resources to the airport.
Shannon Airport’s own fire and rescue service was also alerted and crews deployed to designated holding positions adjacent to the runway in advance of the jet’s arrival.
The flight landed safely at 12.55pm and taxied to the terminal accompanied by airport fire crews. The flight was met at the terminal but airport staff and medical personnel.
The passenger was assessed at the airport before being removed to University Hospital Limerick for treatment.
The flight continued its journey to the US at 2.14pm.
On October 16th last, the same flight, operated by a different aircraft, also diverted to Shannon with an ill patient.
Of the over 80 diversions to Shannon Airport so far this year, a quarter were medical emergencies.
