Aer Lingus flight to London makes emergency landing in Cork after reports of smoke on board

The flight landed safely in Cork shortly before 1.30pm on Thursday.

An Aer Lingus flight bound for London Heathrow was forced to return to Cork Airport on Thursday afternoon due to what Aer Lingus described as a “technical issue with the aircraft”. Flight EI 712 returned to Cork Airport shortly after departure, with reports that there was smoke coming from the cockpit. The pilot declared an emergency landing and emergency crews were in attendance when the plane arrived at the airport shortly before 1.30pm. https://twitter.com/CorkAirport/status/926094256460255237 https://twitter.com/CorkAirport/status/926094481497214976 All 151 passengers and crew disembarked the aircraft safely, while passengers will be brought to London on the next available flights. In a statement issued to JOE on Thursday, an Aer Lingus spokesperson said: “Aer Lingus flight EI 712 Cork to London Heathrow returned to Cork this afternoon shortly after departure due to a technical issue with the aircraft. “The aircraft, with 151 guests and crew on board, landed safely at Cork Airport at 13:28 (local time). The captain had declared an emergency landing and emergency services were in attendance at Cork Airport as a result. “Following landing at Cork a number of guests exited the aircraft via the over-wing emergency exits and slides. The majority of the guests disembarked the aircraft normally via steps. “Guests are being cared for by our guest services team inside the terminal building and will be brought to London on next available flights.”