Passengers onboard easyJet flight U2859 have effectively flown London Gatwick-London Gatwick due to high winds at Aberdeen.
Such a diversion back to it’s origin airfield or an alternative airfield is a normal procedure that is undertaken every day in situations like this.
Without further ado, let’s get into it…
U2859 – London Gatwick-Aberdeen…
easyJet flight U2859 is a routine scheduled flight between London Gatwick and Aberdeen.
The aircraft involved in this incident was G-EZUS.
As per data from Planespotters.net, G-EZUS is a 12.0 year old Airbus A320-200 that was delivered to the airline in April 2012.
Of the A320-200 variant, the UK subsidiary to the airline in orange has 78 of them in the fleet.
Within that 78, 68 are in active service and 10 are parked, featuring an average fleet age of 11.3 years.
easyJet flight U2859 departed London Gatwick at 1957 local time earlier tonight and proceeded north to Aberdeen.
Following two missed approaches at ABZ, the decision was made to head all of the way back to Gatwick.
This comes following significantly windy conditions in Scotland, with Manchester beginning to follow suit with that.
For example, the METAR at Aberdeen for 2150Z shows winds gusting up to 37 knots, with rain in the area.
With the aircraft unable to land into the Scottish airport, this could be why the return to London Gatwick was necessary.
What Will Happen to the Passengers?
Upon the passenger’s arrival, they will notice they are not in Aberdeen, and would have been informed by the pilots of this.
Alternative arrangements will be made in London Gatwick for the passengers, potentially for accommodation as well.
It is quite late in the evening in the UK, so trains up to Aberdeen may not be an option currently.
All eyes will be on what these alternative arrangements will look like for the passengers.
This remains a developing story.