- Flight BY174 got as far as Dublin when it had to turn around for safety precaution
- Tracker AirLive tweeted disruption was due to s ‘shattered flight deck window’
- TUI has apologised to customers has not explained how cockpit window broke
A TUI flight from Manchester to Cancun was forced to divert to Gatwick after a cockpit window shattered in mid-air.
Flight BY174 got as far as Dublin when it had to turn around as a safety precaution.
The disruption has left travellers bound for the Mexican holiday haven stranded at the airport until a new flight can be arranged.
A Thomson flight from Manchester to Cancun was forced to divert to Gatwick after a cockpit window shattered in mid-air
Traveller Craig Connelly tweeted: ‘Took off for Cancun this morning from Man only to be quickly routed straight to Gatwick due to a problem with the plane.
‘Landed and was immediately surrounded by fire engines. No emergency and now parked at a terminal. No news on what it was tho… @TUIUK’
While passenger Joseph Gourvenec reasoned: ‘If you saw the damage they made right decision. New flight ETA 1610 on main board now.’
In a series of tweets, flight tracker AirLive posted: ‘ALERT Thomson #BY174 from Manchester to Cancun is diverting to London Gatwick due to a shattered flight deck window.’
The Boeing 787-8 plane was scheduled to leave Manchester at 9.15am but set off at 11.06am.
It did not land in Dublin as the airport is currently experiencing difficulties with the adverse weather conditions hitting Britain and Ireland.
AirNav posted this tweet showing the flight’s diverted route, where it turns around at Dublin
A TUI spokesman apologised to customers but did not explain how the cockpit window broke.
‘TUI Airways would like to apologise for any inconvenience to our customers on board flight TOM174 travelling from Manchester to Cancun’, he said.
‘The flight has diverted to London Gatwick airport as a result of damage to the aircraft’s windscreen. We will be in contact with customers directly to advise of their new departure time.
‘The safety of our customers and crew is of paramount importance to us and we would like to reassure everyone that events such as these are extremely rare. ‘
More to follow.