An easyJet flight was met by paramedics after a pilot fell ill during the journey, according to an airline spokesperson.
The Airbus A320, en route from London Luton Airport to Lisbon on Saturday, experienced the incident when the copilot fainted before the plane landed safely. The copilot was stabilized and taken to the hospital, with 193 passengers on board.
The spokesperson confirmed that easyJet flight EZY2459 was met by paramedics upon landing due to the pilot’s health issue.
The captain landed the plane as usual and passengers disembarked without any safety concerns.
The airline emphasized that passenger and crew safety is their top priority.
The event underscores the importance of having two pilots in the cockpit, particularly as the concept of single-pilot operations is debated. The “Safety Starts With Two” coalition, supported by various pilot unions, argues that having two pilots remains a crucial safety measure.
Similar incidents in the past include a Southwest pilot being replaced by a passenger who was also a pilot and an Air Transat pilot who was substituted by an off-duty captain after a medical emergency.
