British Airways A350 diverts to Doha after pilots declare inflight emergency

The use of squawk code 7700 signals a general emergency under International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and alerts air traffic control that an aircraft needs priority handling. However, this code does not specify what type of emergency is occurring. "When a 7700 code is transmitted, controllers can clear airspace, prioritize the approach, and have emergency services on standby. While it does not necessarily mean the aircraft is in imminent danger, it signals that the crew is managing a situation requiring immediate attention." Pilots may declare such emergencies for reasons including engine trouble, medical issues onboard, fire, or loss of cabin pressure.

Data from Flightradar24 shows that over about 14 months between late December 2022 and mid-March 2024 there were an average of 36 weekly declarations worldwide using squawk code 7700. The highest weekly total was recorded during October 12, 2023 with 67 such emergencies; October 12 also saw a single-day record with 18 separate flights declaring emergencies.

This diversion is one among several recent incidents involving British Airways flights making unscheduled landings due to emergencies. On July 26 this year, BA1410 from London Heathrow to Belfast diverted to Manchester after pilots declared an emergency about half an hour into the flight due to what was later described as a minor suspected technical issue; passengers continued their journey on another aircraft after nearly four hours.

Earlier this year on April 8, BA252 from Cayman Islands to London Heathrow diverted twice—first to Gander due to a medical emergency and then again to Keflavik because of crew duty limitations caused by delays—resulting in passengers being onboard for almost twenty-three hours.

British Airways operates as a full-service carrier with hubs at London Heathrow and Gatwick airports and is part of the Oneworld alliance under parent group IAG.