An easyJet flight bound for Bristol was forced to declare a fuel emergency mid-air and divert to Liverpool John Lennon Airport after an unexpected runway closure left the aircraft circling with dwindling fuel reserves.
Bird Strike Triggers Runway Shutdown
The incident unfolded late on Sunday evening, January 25, turning what should have been a routine journey from Madrid into a tense experience for passengers on board.
The easyJet Flight U22708 departed Madrid as scheduled and was due to land at Bristol Airport at 10 pm, following a flight time of just over two hours. However, shortly before arrival, Bristol Airport halted all runway operations after a separate aircraft struck a bird during landing.
Bird strikes, while not uncommon, are treated seriously in aviation. Ground crews must conduct detailed inspections to ensure no debris remains on the runway that could endanger other aircraft. As a result, all incoming flights were temporarily prevented from landing, including the easyJet service approaching from Spain.
With no immediate clearance available, the aircraft was instructed to remain airborne while safety checks were carried out on the ground.
Fuel Levels Fall as Aircraft Circles
As the easyJet jet entered a holding pattern, the delay began to take a critical turn. Extended circling led to rapidly decreasing fuel levels, leaving the flight crew with limited options.
The pilots initially issued a Pan-Pan call, a signal used to indicate an urgent situation that is not yet life-threatening. As fuel levels dropped further, the situation escalated, and the aircraft transmitted Squawk 7700, the internationally recognised code for a general emergency.
This alert granted the flight immediate priority from air traffic control, enabling controllers to quickly identify a suitable diversion airport.
Safe Landing and Delayed Arrival
Under emergency protocols, the aircraft was redirected to Liverpool, approximately 180 miles from Bristol, where it landed safely at 10.57 pm. After refuelling on the ground, the flight later continued to its original destination.
According to aviation monitoring service Airlive, the aircraft eventually arrived at Bristol Airport at 12.12 am on Monday, more than two hours behind schedule.
Despite the emergency declaration and unexpected diversion, no injuries were reported, and passengers completed their journey safely.
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