A Heathrow flight carrying more than 300 passengers was forced into an emergency landing in Russia after one of its engines failed mid-air.
The Air China Boeing 777-39L(ER) was en route to Beijing when it diverted to Nizhnevartovsk, Siberia, on Tuesday morning. The jet landed safely in the Khanty-Mansi region, but passengers were left stranded on the runway for hours as authorities decided what to do next.
Flights to Russia Still Banned
UK flights to Russia remain banned under restrictions imposed after Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. It is not clear if any British citizens were aboard the aircraft.
Conflicting Passenger Numbers
Reports initially claimed more than 300 people were on the flight, but Russian officials later said 267 passengers and crew were aboard. Local media outlet Baza, which has ties to Russian security services, said there was “no panic” inside the cabin.
Mayor Confirms Situation Under Control
Nizhnevartovsk Mayor Dmitry Koschenko confirmed the unscheduled landing and said temporary accommodation for the passengers was being arranged.
“Early this morning, a flight from London to Beijing made an emergency landing. There are 267 people on board, including the crew,” he said.
He added that a replacement aircraft would soon collect the stranded travellers.
Replacement Plane En Route
Air China has reportedly dispatched another aircraft to pick up the passengers. Until then, travellers remain at the airport’s international terminal under the supervision of local authorities.
UK Restrictions Still in Place
The UK Parliament reiterated its flight ban on Russian airspace, citing regulations imposed on 5 April 2022. The ban prevents any aircraft flying to or from Russia from entering UK skies.
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