A US Airways flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Ireland after nine flight attendants became sick.
The flight had left from Venice and was heading to Philadelphia when it was forced to divert. Nine flight attendants started to complain of nausea, running eyes and dizziness on US Airways Flight 715. The pilots switched direction while flying over the Atlantic Ocean in response to the medical complaints. The pilot alerted Air Traffic Controllers at Shannon Airport in Ireland who routed the plane directly to Dublin. The plane landed safely at Dublin Airport on Saturday afternoon, CNN reports.
The plane was met by ambulances and fire engines upon arrival at around 3:15 p.m. There were about six ambulances and three fire trucks on the scene. The plane was taken to a remote area of the airport so passengers and crew members could be assisted by paramedics.
The flight attendants were being evaluated by medical professionals at a local hospital. There were 185 passengers on the flight, but the passengers weren't affected. The plane involved was an Airbus A330-200.
The airline released a statement saying "US Airways flight 715 from Venice to Philadelphia diverted to Dublin because several of our flight attendants reported medical issues. Medical professionals are evaluating our flight attendants and we are re-accommodating our customers on other flights to Philadelphia."
"There are no reports of illness from pilots or passengers and we are reaccommodating our customers on other flights to Philadelphia," US Airways spokeswoman Michelle Mohr told CNN.
The Dublin Airport Authority confirmed that the plane will remain at the airport overnight. Some of the passengers were offered to stay in hotels in Dublin.
The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Irish Air Accident
Investigation Unit (AAIU) will investigate the incident.
Another US Airways flight was diverted back to New York after it hit a bird.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
