Two Major European Flights Face Diversion and Delays After Passenger Deaths Onboard

Two recent, separate incidents have highlighted the challenges airlines face when managing in-flight medical emergencies and passenger deaths. These events affected major European carriers Lufthansa and EasyJet, causing significant operational delays.

Lufthansa Diverts Airbus A350 to Almaty

On December 26, 2025, Lufthansa flight diversion occurred on a long-haul route. Flight LH722 was traveling from Munich, Germany, to Beijing, China. The aircraft was an Airbus A350, registered as D-AIXO. A passenger became unconscious while the aircraft was in the air. The flight crew quickly decided to divert the aircraft. They requested an emergency landing at Almaty International Airport (ALA) in Kazakhstan.

Upon landing, medical teams boarded the aircraft. They confirmed the passenger had died. The preliminary cause of death was reported as acute heart failure. The Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan confirmed the incident. The aircraft was refueled and continued its journey to Beijing. The flight arrived at its final destination over two hours late.

EasyJet Passenger Death Causes 12-Hour Delay

In a separate incident, EasyJet passenger death occurred before takeoff. Flight EZY8070 was scheduled to fly from Malaga, Spain, to London Gatwick (LGW). The event happened shortly after an 89-year-old British passenger boarded the aircraft. She was traveling with family and held a valid fit-to-fly certificate.

As the aircraft began taxiing, the cabin crew noticed the woman's deteriorating condition. The pilots immediately returned the plane to the stand. Spanish airport authorities boarded the aircraft and confirmed her death. The incident caused a delay of nearly 12 hours for the flight. EasyJet provided food and drink vouchers to affected passengers. The airline offered support to all customers and crew.

Industry Context and Aviation Safety Protocols

These events underscore the importance of robust commercial aviation safety protocols. Airlines and crew must be prepared for medical emergencies at any time. Industry data shows that in-flight medical events are not rare. A recent study found one medical emergency occurs on average for every 212 flights.

Aircraft diversion statistics show that only a small fraction of medical events lead to a diversion. Diversions occur in about 1.7% of medical events, often for serious cardiac or neurological issues. The decision to divert is a critical one. It balances the passenger's urgent need for medical care with the operational cost and delay. Unplanned emergency landings can cost an airline hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Handling Onboard Fatalities

Airline medical procedures are guided by international bodies like IATA. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) provides guidelines for handling a death on board. Crew are advised to notify the captain immediately. The deceased person should be moved to a secluded area if possible. If the flight is full, the person may be returned to their original seat. The body must be restrained and covered. The captain then coordinates with ground authorities. This ensures the proper local authorities meet the flight upon arrival. The airline's primary concern remains passenger well-being on board and crew safety. For more information on commercial aviation news, visit flying.flights.

Key Takeaways for Stakeholders:

• Crew Training: Both incidents highlight the need for continuous, high-level crew training. This training must cover rapid response to medical crises.
• Diversion Decisions: The Lufthansa diversion shows the commitment to seek immediate medical help. This is done despite the significant operational cost and delay.
• Pre-Boarding Screening: The EasyJet incident raises questions about pre-boarding checks. This is especially true for passengers requiring special assistance. The process must verify the validity of “fit-to-fly” certificates.
• Passenger Impact: Both events resulted in long delays. This caused distress and inconvenience for hundreds of travelers. Airlines must manage the emotional and logistical impact effectively.