A Virgin Atlantic flight was forced to make a u-turn back to the UK after it was discovered that the co-pilot was still in training, reports claim.
The plane, travelling from Heathrow to New York, was 40 minutes into the flight when Virgin Atlantic managers on the ground realised that the first officer onboard had yet to complete his final pilot exams.
The Virgin Atlantic Airbus A330, which was just over Ireland, then had to head back to London on Monday and remain on the tarmac until a qualified pilot could step in as a replacement.
Passengers were left furious following the incident, which had a knock-on effect for other flights and connections, the Mirror reports.
The Flight VS3 finally arrived in New York two hours 40 minutes late.
A source told The Sun : “You could have cut the tension in the cockpit with a knife.
“The plane got as far as Ireland and then they found out the first officer was still in training.
“The skipper had no choice but to go back to Heathrow and find a more experienced member of the crew.
“It was embarrassing for everyone and the passengers were furious.”
While first officers are qualified pilots whose role is to ensure the safety of the flight, support the captain and talk to air traffic control, they need to be accompanied by a training captain according to Virgin Atlantic policy, it is reported.
The airline insisted the safety of the plane was not compromised and that both crew members were fully licenced and qualified to fly the aircraft.
A spokesman for Virgin Atlantic, reported The Telegraph, said: “Due to a rostering error, flight VS3 from London Heathrow to New York-JFK returned to Heathrow on Monday 2nd May shortly after take-off. The qualified first officer, who was flying alongside an experienced captain, was replaced with a new pilot to ensure full compliance with Virgin Atlantic’s training protocols, which exceed industry standards.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused to our customers who arrived 2 hours 40 minutes later than scheduled as a result of the crew change.”
A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority told the news outlet: “Virgin Atlantic has made us aware of the incident. Both pilots were suitably licensed and qualified to undertake the flight.”
Virgin Atlantic and the Civil Aviation Authority have been contacted for comment.
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