Passengers were transferred to a different plane
19:18, 09 Jun 2026Updated 19:46, 09 Jun 2026
The Jet2 plane diverted (stock image)(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)
A Jet2 flight had to make an emergency diversion to Manchester after it was struck by lightning. Firefighters were called to a runway at Manchester Airport at around 4:30pm on Tuesday (June 9).
Two fire engines from Wythenshawe and Cheadle along with a technical response unit from Leigh attended the incident.
The flight took off from Leeds Bradford and was headed for the Canary Islands before making the sudden detour. According to the Manchester Airport, passengers were transferred to another plane before resuming their journey.
Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter
A spokesperson for Manchester Airport said: “It departed from Leeds Bradford. At some point it was struck by lightning and had to come back here.
“It circled around over Liverpool way for a little while and then came to us. Passengers have been transferred onto a different aircraft that was already on the ground here.
“If they aren’t already on their way, they will be on their way very soon.”
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “Just after 4.30pm this afternoon (Tuesday 9th June), three fire engines from Wythenshawe and Cheadle fire station, along with the Technical Response Unit from Leigh, attended an incident on Ringway Road, Manchester.
“Firefighters were in attendance for around an hour.”
