Mangoes may have sparked in-flight alarm and divert to Shannon
A cargo of mangoes may have sparked an alarm on a transatlantic flight.
An Aeromexico Boeing 787 Dreamliner was forced to make an emergency landing at Shannon Airport after a warning indication light suggested there was smoke in the hold.
The plane touched down safely at about 2.50pm and all 193 passengers and crew disembarked.
Shannon Airport said fire crews and ambulances were on the runway as the plane touched down but checks in the cargo hold found no trace of smoke or fire.
“Shannon Airport can confirm that the emergency response that was activated for the arrival of a diverted Aeromexico flight this afternoon has now been stood down,” a spokesman for the airport said.
“All 193 passengers and crew were disembarked and the aircraft subsequently assessed at a remote location.”
The flight was flying from Mexico City to Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris when the crew requested to land in the Co Clare airport at about 2.30pm local time.
Aviation sources suggested the alarm might be explained by the large cargo of fruit on board or preservatives used on the mangoes to keep them fresh during transport.
