Why don’t aircraft divert to the nearest airport in an emergency?
We hope this never happens to you, but it’s good to know what exactly is the procedure if your aircraft diverts to the nearest airport in an emergency.
One thing you can be sure of is that the pilots and surrounding air support teams know exactly what to do. They rehearse regularly, and make sure that their knowledge of such situations are up-to-date, current and rehearsed. So, first a complex set of procedures is initiated to ensure the safety of passengers and crew. Next, the pilot, in consultation with the nearest air traffic control (ATC), decides whether to divert the aircraft to an alternate airport.
This decision is usually made due to factors such as severe weather, mechanical issues, or medical emergencies. In some situations. the plane is cleared to land at the alternate airport. Once the issue that caused the diversion is resolved, the aircraft may continue its original flight plan or be rescheduled for a later departure. Want to know more? Watch the video above courtesy of the always excellent SimpleFlying.com
There are dozens of actions and steps that continue in the process, but, as soon as is possible, the cabin crew informs passengers about the diversion and the reason for it. They may also provide updates on the expected arrival time and any potential delays. One thing is for sure: air and ground crews are always at the ready to handle almost any emergency.
Wherever you go nowadays, flying is the safest way of getting there, by far.
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