A British Airways flight from Istanbul to London made an emergency landing in Bucharest after four people suffered possible smoke inhalation. The Airbus A320 landed safely, and officials are investigating the cause.
Emergency Diversion to Bucharest
A British Airways Airbus A320 operating as Flight BA603 from Istanbul to London Heathrow made an emergency landing in Bucharest, Romania, on Thursday, October 9, 2025.
The aircraft, carrying 142 passengers, diverted to Henri Coandă International Airport following a suspected technical issue that triggered cabin smoke warnings. The flight landed safely at 6:14 p.m. local time, according to Romanian airport authorities.
Smoke Detected After Landing
After landing, emergency medical teams boarded the plane and attended to four people who were reportedly suffering from possible smoke inhalation.
Romania’s Ministry of Health confirmed that smoke was detected in the aircraft cabin immediately after touchdown. However, they later clarified that no one needed hospitalization.
“Four people are in poor condition, likely due to smoke intoxication, and are receiving medical care on site,” officials said.
Incident Summary Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Flight Number | BA603 |
| Airline | British Airways |
| Aircraft Type | Airbus A320 |
| Route | Istanbul → London Heathrow |
| Diversion Airport | Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport |
| Local Landing Time | 6:14 p.m. (October 9, 2025) |
| Passengers on Board | 142 |
| People Affected | 4 (possible smoke inhalation) |
| Hospitalization Required | No |
| Cause Under Investigation | Suspected technical issue / smoke detection |
British Airways Responds
British Airways issued an apology to passengers and emphasized that safety remains its highest priority.
“Our crew made the decision to divert as a precaution after a suspected technical issue. The aircraft landed safely, customers disembarked normally, and we received no reports of smoke on board or hospitalizations,” the airline said.
The airline also confirmed that passengers were re-accommodated on alternate flights to London.
Authorities Launch Investigation
Romanian officials have begun a technical investigation to identify what triggered the smoke alert.
Preliminary findings suggest a minor system fault or overheating issue, though no fire was reported on board.
All safety protocols were followed, and crew members acted swiftly to ensure passenger safety.
Aviation Safety Context
While rare, such precautionary diversions are part of standard international aviation safety practices.
Aviation experts say even a small amount of smoke or odor in the cabin can justify an emergency landing to prevent risk escalation.
Recent Air Safety Events
| Date | Airline | Incident | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 7, 2025 | TUI Airways | Bird strike after takeoff | Newcastle, UK |
| Sept 29, 2025 | Ryanair | Cabin filled with smoke mid-flight | Manchester |
| Aug 2025 | United Airlines | Passenger tried opening cabin door mid-air | Houston |
| June 2025 | Delta Airlines | Jets collided on taxiway | New York (LaGuardia) |