An aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing at Southend Airport during this morning’s rush hour when it got into difficulties on a flight from Jersey to London City Airport.
The airport said it received a request from the pilot of the Blue Islands flight to land at the airport shortly after 8.30am.
The ATR twin-engined aircraft, with 28 passengers and three crew onboard, landed safely just before 9am with emergency crews in attendance.
"The aircraft landed safely, all 28 passengers disembarked and they are being bused to London City," said a Southend spokeswoman.
The airline, which operates flights from the Channel Islands to London City, Bristol, Southampton and continental Europe, has just issued this statement: "At approximately 08:28 local this morning, the Blue Islands flight SI712 Jersey to London City with 28 passengers and three crew on-board, experienced a safety warning.
"As a precautionary measure the engine was shut down, and this flight followed standard procedures and diverted to London Southend Airport. The aircraft landed safely at London Southend at 08:48.
"The aircraft is currently being inspected by engineers at Southend. Initial indications are that no fire took place and it appears to be a false alert.
"The passengers were then transported by road to London City Airport. Passenger, crew and aircraft safety is our number one priority at all times."
