Jetstar flight from Gold Coast to Cairns diverted midair to Rockhampton due to ‘unusual smell’
A Jetstar flight has been diverted midair in Queensland due to an “unusual smell” detected on board.
Flight JQ966 from the Gold Coast to Cairns was diverted to Rockhampton on Thursday morning as a precaution.
The flight was diverted “as a precaution after an unusual smell was detected”, a Jetstar spokesperson said.
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“Engineers inspected the aircraft and we’re working to get customers on their way as soon as possible.”
“We thank customers for their understanding and patience.”
Customers were provided refreshment vouchers as compensation for the diversion.
A replacement aircraft was sent to pick up the passengers and finish their journey to Cairns.
Flight JQ125 was scheduled to leave Adelaide about 7am on October 7, heading to Denpasar — the capital city of Indonesia’s Bali province.
However, it was forced to turn around when its onboard toilets stopped working.
A Jetstar spokesperson confirmed the toilets stopped flushing, causing the delay.
The issue could not be fixed enroute, so the plane was directed back to Adelaide.
Passengers were then moved to a replacement plane and departed again about 11am.
Qantas plane also grounded by smell issues
A Qantas flight was also turned back over an “unusual smell” two weeks ago.
Flight QF163 from Sydney to Wellington was turned back after reports of an “unusual smell in the cabin”.
The plane departed Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport for Wellington International Airport in New Zealand just before 6.45pm on October 2, but was turned back about an hour later.
A Qantas spokesperson told 7NEWS.com.au the Boeing 737 aircraft “landed safely and will be checked by engineers before returning to service”.
The pilots declared a priority landing and were met with the aviation fire service on arrival, as is standard procedure.
A cabin crew member was also taken to hospital for medical checks as a precautionary measure.
The plane had flown from Wellington to Sydney and completed a return trip to Norfolk Island on Wednesday before the incident.
Originally published on 7NEWS
