Passengers Removed as Infectious Diseases Team Called to Diverted Flight
Flight UA998 from Brussels to New York’s Newark Airport was diverted to Dublin Airport this afternoon due to reports of two separate incidents. Passengers were removed from a flight after it was forced to land due to ‘cases of suspected infectious diseases’ today.
United Airlines flight UA998 was flying off the south coast of Ireland when it was diverted to Dublin Airport over two separate incidents on board. One involved a suspected medical incident, while the other was a disruptive passenger aboard the flight from Brussels to New York’s Newark Airport, according to Dublin Airport.
Numerous police cars and at least one ambulance were pictured on the tarmac around the airplane. The flight had been expected to leave early this afternoon, but this was delayed as an infectious diseases team arrived to carry out tests. Passengers were kept on board for the duration.
In a post on X, passenger Johan Westberg said the question ‘now is what virus is onboard if anything’. United Airlines confirmed one disruptive passenger was removed from the flight. Two more people were also removed, including both the ‘ill passenger’ and a person travelling with them, the airline told Metro.co.uk. Asked whether the unruly passenger had been arrested, Dublin Airport and the Irish police did not provide an answer.
The condition of the unwell passenger, and whether they did have an infectious disease, has not yet been confirmed. In a statement, Ireland’s Health Service Executive (HSE) said: ‘The HSE cannot comment on individual cases to protect the privacy and confidentiality of the people involved. Departments of Public Health respond to notified cases of suspected infectious diseases, undertake a risk assessment of the situation and control measures are put in place, if required, to protect the public health. Today, HSE National Ambulance Service and HSE Public Health undertook appropriate investigations at Dublin Airport following protocols in partnership with Dublin Airport, An Garda Síochána and Airport Police. Public Health and National Ambulance Service managed this incident according to national public health guidelines.’
A spokesperson for Dublin Airport said: ‘There is no impact on operations at Dublin Airport and passengers travelling this evening should plan to arrive at the airport as normal.’ The flight has since been cleared. It departed from Dublin Airport shortly after 6pm. Westberg estimated it would arrive some six hours late to its final destination at Newark Airport. Metro.co.uk contacted the Irish police for comment.
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