British Airways Flight London-Funchal Declares Emergency

A British Airways flight operating from London to Funchal has declared an emergency with squawk code 7700.

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British Airways flight BA520 declared the emergency whilst outbound over southern England, and is currently on return to London.

Flight BA520 terminated its climb at FL170 (17,000 feet) near Southampton, before initiating a return to London. The nature of the emergency prompting the expedited return was the detection of fumes in the cockpit.

Update 09:30 UTC

British Airways flight BA520 is now positioning for its return to London Heathrow. Weather for the flight’s return is IFR with 900 foot ceiling, and RWY 27 active.

Having maintained the priority emergency squawk code 7700 since its diversion, flight BA520 is now established on approach to LHR.

Update 09:40 UTC

British Airways flight BA520 now landed at London Heathrow, having expedited a return following its emergency declaration earlier this morning.

Flight data shows the BA520 service bound for Funchal Madeira Cristiano Ronaldo Airport (FNC) departed London at 09:00 UTC.

The flight has set course and was on climb over the south of England when flight crew declared an emergency. Transponder code 7700 was broadcast at 09:31 UTC, approximately 30 minutes after departure.

The aircraft conducting today’s BA520 rotation was an Airbus A320neo, registered G-TTNB.

This is a 6-year old narrowbody aircraft belong to the national carrier British Airways. It has been in operational service with the airline since its initial delivery in April 2018.

Madeira Cristiano Ronaldo Airport, also known as Madeira Airport or Funchal Airport, is an international airport located on Madeira Island, Portugal. It is named after the famous footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, who was born on Madeira.

The airport is located on the eastern end of Madeira Island, about 16 kilometers from the capital city of Funchal. It is the fourth-busiest airport in Portugal and is a major gateway for tourism to the island.