The ECHO understands all the passengers are now off the plane safely
Emergency services inspect an engine on an easyJet flight after it returned to Liverpool airport
easyJet has confirmed a flight from Liverpool declared an emergency after it experienced a bird strike shortly after take off. The easyJet plane, flight number EZY18KP, departed Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) at 4.25pm today, Wednesday, bound for Bodrum in Turkey.
However, according to flight tracker Flightradar24, the flight was “squawking 7700 shortly after take off from Liverpool”. Squawking 7700 is the universally recognised code used by aircraft to signal a general emergency to air traffic control.
The flight returned to Liverpool shortly before 5pm after circling above Cheshire for around 30 minutes. A spokesperson for easyJet told the ECHO: “Our flight from Liverpool to Bodrum this evening has been delayed due to experiencing a bird strike shortly after take-off.
“The pilot returned to Liverpool in line with our procedures and performed a routine landing where it will be inspected by engineers.
“The safety of its passengers and crew is easyJet’s highest priority and easyJet operates its fleet of aircraft in strict compliance with all manufacturers’ guidelines.”
Emergency services inspect an engine on an easyJet flight after it returned to Liverpool airport
The airport told the ECHO that the plane landed without issue and returned for operational reasons. The ECHO understands all the passengers are now off the plane safely.
Royal Air Force guidance says the 7700 is transmitted when there is a “general emergency” which could mean any kind of issue.
According to Flightradar24, the plane, an Airbus A320-214, is 11 years old.
Emergency services inspect an engine on an easyJet flight after it returned to Liverpool airport
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