A passenger died aboard an easyJet flight from France to the Canary Islands on Tuesday, September 16, following a medical emergency that occurred as the aircraft approached its destination. The incident took place on flight EJU4775 traveling from Nantes Atlantique Airport to Lanzarote.
The medical emergency unfolded during the approach to Lanzarote airport in the Canary Islands. The captain triggered a distress signal after being alerted to the passenger’s condition and performed a routine landing in accordance with standard procedures. Despite the crew’s intervention, the passenger could not be saved.
An easyJet spokesperson confirmed that the flight requested an expedited landing due to a passenger requiring urgent medical assistance. The cabin crew provided first aid during the flight, and emergency services met the aircraft upon landing. The airline emphasized that crew members are trained to respond to medical issues and did everything possible during the flight.
The spokesperson indicated that the airline’s thoughts are with the passenger’s family and friends, and they are extending full support and assistance during this difficult time. “The well-being of our passengers and crew is always easyJet’s highest priority,” the spokesperson noted.
The passenger’s cause of death remains unknown, and no further details about the victim have been released. The identity of the deceased passenger has not been disclosed by authorities or the airline.
The incident caused significant delays for subsequent flights. The return flight from Lanzarote to Nantes experienced major disruptions, with the aircraft originally scheduled to land at 2:45 p.m. in Loire-Atlantique but eventually arriving around 11 p.m., approximately eight hours behind schedule.
This incident marks another in-flight death involving easyJet operations. In November 2022, a similar tragedy occurred when a man aged around 50 died aboard flight EZY8454 traveling from Cyprus to London Gatwick Airport. That passenger became ill mid-flight around 3:40 p.m. GMT after the aircraft departed from Paphos at 2:20 p.m. local time.
During the 2022 incident, crew members attempted to resuscitate the passenger using a defibrillator, but their efforts proved unsuccessful. Fellow passengers reported that the man appeared to be sleeping and was unable to be awakened when staff tried to rouse him. The passenger was traveling alone on the flight, which was largely filled with holidaymakers returning from winter vacation.
Upon landing at Gatwick Airport, passengers were held on the aircraft while paramedics boarded to pronounce the man’s death. The flight had been carrying passengers home from the Greek island where temperatures reached 24 degrees Celsius.
Aviation protocols dictate that aircraft do not always divert when a death occurs onboard. The decision depends on various circumstances, including whether there is a possibility of revival, the presence of medical professionals who can declare death, and whether the deceased can be safely stored in the cabin during the remainder of the flight.
EasyJet maintains that crew members receive training to handle medical emergencies during flights. The airline’s standard procedures include coordination with ground-based emergency services and medical personnel when such situations arise. Flight crews are equipped with basic medical equipment, including defibrillators, to respond to passenger medical emergencies.
The September 16 incident represents the challenges faced by airline crews when managing medical emergencies at cruising altitude, where advanced medical intervention options are limited. Airlines typically rely on trained crew members and any medical professionals who may be traveling as passengers to provide assistance during such emergencies.
The investigation into the passenger’s death continues, with authorities working to determine the cause. No timeline has been provided for when additional details about the incident might be released to the public.
