Sydney Airport: Major emergency after British Airways Dreamliner issues mayday call
Sydney Airport has been thrown into an emergency situation after a British Airways passenger jet sent out a mayday call soon after take off from mascot.
A Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner reportedly departed just after 3pm and while it was flying over the central west of NSW, the crew issued the mayday call and were forced to turn the aircraft around.
The flight, British Airways BA16, was headed for Singapore before the emergency mayday call with the crew reporting smoke inside the cabin.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“Mayday 16 speedbird just about to be established … we will have to stop for a minute after landing,” the crew stated in the distress call.
Sydney Airport officials released a statement and said “the plane had landed safely at Sydney Airport” at around 3.50pm.
British Airways have confirmed that the “aircraft returned to Sydney as a precaution after reports of a technical issue”.
“The flight landed safely and our teams are working hard to get customers’ journeys back on track as soon as possible, the BA statement said.
“Emergency services met the aircraft on arrival, which is standard procedure.”
2GB reported the plane stopped on the runway for a while before a fleet of firetrucks shadowed it to a gate.
“Airservices Australia Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Service crews responded to the landing of a B787 at Sydney Airport shortly before 4pm, after the aircraft returned to Sydney due to a technical issue,” a statement from Airservices Australia said.
“The plane landed safely and has cleared the runway.”
The aircraft is now back at a a terminal gate and the airport is “still operational” according to the Sydney Airport statement.
