Airline Praised For Putting Safety First In Flight Diversion

Vietjet pilots have been praised for putting safety first when they diverted Flight VJ975, an A321neo, which was en route from the South Korean city of Incheon to Duong Dong in Vietnam to Laoag International Airport in the northern Philippines due to slight engine vibration.

The Vietjet A321neo carrying 214 people made the unscheduled but safe landing and none of the passengers and crew were hurt.

“The pilot did not declare an emergency but informed the tower of the issue. No engine failure was reported,” the Philippine Civil Aviation Agency’s spokesperson Eric Apolonio told The Associated Press.

"Vietjet put safety first" according to AirlineRatings.com Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas.

"Even the smallest safety issue requires the crew to follow company and or Airbus procedures," said Mr Thomas.

"Too many times pilots at some airlines have ignored the first and safest option when there is a problem and flown to another airport further away for commercial reasons."

Mr Thomas added that "Vietjet absolutely did the right thing in diverting immediately" and the airline quickly recovered the situation by "bringing in another aircraft to carry the passengers to their destination."

Flight diversions are not uncommon in the aviation industry, and they can occur due to various reasons such as bad weather, mechanical inspections, medical emergencies, disruptive passengers, etc.

The decision to divert or make an emergency landing is based on several factors, including the seriousness of the situation, available fuel, weather conditions, distance, and the facilities at the nearest airports, beyond others.

In the case of Vietjet's diversion at Laoag International Airport, the pilots prioritized safety above all else, even though they might encounter difficulties in accessing spare parts and logistical support due to the airport's location and size. This decision could potentially lead to a longer service resumption time and increased costs for the airline. 

The costs associated with diversions can vary significantly. For instance, in 2016, Hawaiian Airlines had to divert a flight back to its departure airport due to a drunk passenger. This incident reportedly cost Hawaiian Airlines around $150,000, including expenses such as fuel, maintenance, ground crew, new flight crew, and re-accommodating passengers on other flights. Additionally, they provided nearly $47,000 worth of meal vouchers.

When a diversion or emergency landing occurs, airlines typically bear the majority of the costs. Policies and support for affected passengers may vary among airlines and their business models, but generally, services such as food and beverages at the airport, medical evaluations, and accommodation if necessary are provided.

In this case, Vietjet ensured that their passengers were taken care of on the ground by promptly providing food, beverages, and medical checks in collaboration with the airport and local authorities.

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