An EasyJet plane bound for Edinburgh had to make an emergency landing after the pilot became ill during the flight, the airline has confirmed.
Flight EZY6938 had departed Heraklion in Greece late on June 11 and was bound for the Scottish capital in the early hours of June 12 when disaster struck.
As the plane approached the airport for landing, a Live Squawk 700 alert was issued - which meant all air traffic control facilities in the area were immediately alerted that the aircraft had an emergency situation.
The first officer who took control at around 1:20 am requested an expedited landing and successfully grounded the plane.
According to passengers who were on board the flight, the pilot was seen entering the plane's toilet and did not come out until it had landed.
EasyJet confirmed to The Sun that the first officer did land the plane, but did not say whether the captain remained in the toilet until after the plane had landed.
A passenger told the Scottish Sun: "The captain had been seen going into the toilet and not coming out.
"The plane was met on the runway by five fire engines and two ambulances and after landing.
"The very young-looking co-pilot announced on the tannoy that the emergency response was due to the captain taking ill."
They added that the co-pilot said they had been on duty for 13 hours.
They claimed the plane had pushed back from the stand and waited for 45 minutes for airways to clear prior to taking off from Greece, as it had done on the outward journey at Edinburgh airport.
An EasyJet spokesperson told The Sun: "EasyJet can confirm that flight EZY6938 from Heraklion to Edinburgh on 12 June requested an expedited landing due to the Captain becoming unwell while on approach to Edinburgh.
“The First Officer landed the aircraft in line with standard operating procedures and the Captain was met by paramedics on arrival as a precaution.
“The safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crew is always easyJet's highest priority.”
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