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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Sami Quadri

British Airways flight from Heathrow forced to make emergency landing after 'smoke and fumes fill cockpit'

A British Airways flight was forced to make an emergency landing at Manchester Airport on Friday morning after smoke and fumes reportedly filled the cockpit.

Passengers were left shocked after flight BA1306, heading from Heathrow to Aberdeen, was diverted mid-journey following an emergency on board.

The plane took off from Heathrow at 8.45am and was scheduled to reach Aberdeen by 10.15am. But over Northamptonshire, the aircraft suddenly changed course.

Fire crews rushed to the tarmac as the plane touched down in Manchester.

A flight tracking account on X said: "British Airways flight BA1306 diverted to Manchester a short time ago under emergency conditions due to smoke and fumes in the cockpit."

Manchester Airport downplayed the incident's severity but noted standard emergency procedures were followed.

A spokesman said: "In situations like this they're always treated as an emergency regardless of the severity to be on the safe side, which means emergency services attend."

He added: "Fire service have attended and given the all clear."

British Airways has been contacted for comment.

It comes just weeks after a British Airways flight to Budapest was forced to return to Heathrow shortly after departure due to a suspected technical issue.

A British Airways spokesperson said the flight had turned around over Kent before heading back to Heathrow following a “minor technical issue”.

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