A British Airways plane was forced to make an emergency landing after four passengers experienced “smoke inhalation” during the flight. The incident occurred on an Airbus A320 traveling from Istanbul to London, prompting the flight, BA603, with 142 passengers onboard, to divert to Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport. The request for landing was made at 5.50 pm local time, and the plane safely touched down at 6.14 pm, with medical teams promptly attending to the affected individuals.
Following the landing, Romania’s Ministry of Health confirmed the presence of smoke on board, leading to the evacuation of all passengers. While four individuals initially showed signs of smoke exposure and received on-site medical assistance, it was later determined that they did not require further care.
British Airways emphasized its commitment to passenger safety, stating that the diversion was a precautionary measure due to a suspected technical issue. The airline assured that the aircraft landed without incident, allowing passengers to disembark normally. Apologizing for any inconvenience caused, British Airways reassured customers that efforts were underway to minimize disruptions and resume their journeys promptly.
Contrary to reports of smoke onboard and hospitalizations, the airline clarified that no such incidents were reported. Flight BA603’s status was updated to indicate the diversion to Bucharest, with no additional information provided.