Air China Flight from Heathrow Makes Emergency Landing in Russia

For the first time since flights between the UK and Russia were banned, a passenger aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing on Russian soil.

Engine Failure Diverts Plane to Siberia

An Air China Boeing 777-39L(ER) departing from Heathrow and bound for Beijing suffered an engine failure mid-flight on Tuesday morning. Carrying nearly 300 passengers, the aircraft made an unscheduled landing at Nizhnevartovsk Airport in Siberia.

No official statement has been made on whether there were any British citizens on board.

First Forced Landing Since Putin’s Invasion of Ukraine

Since Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, all flights from the UK to Russia have been banned. This incident marks the first emergency landing by a UK-departing aircraft on Russian territory since the restrictions began.

“No Panic on Board”

Baza, a news outlet close to Russian security sources, reported that there was no smoke or fire panic on board and that passengers were evacuated calmly.

Nizhnevartovsk Mayor Dmitry Koschenko said in a statement:

“Earlier today, a flight from London to Beijing made an emergency landing. There were 267 people on board, including crew members. Temporary accommodation is being arranged at the airport for the passengers. A replacement aircraft will arrive shortly.”

Replacement Aircraft Prepared for Passengers

Air China has dispatched a backup aircraft to transport the stranded passengers to Beijing. Russian authorities confirmed that necessary measures are being taken to ensure the passengers’ safety and well-being.

UK Statement

The UK Parliament reiterated the existing flight ban introduced in 2022:

“All aircraft flying to or from Russian airports are prohibited from entering UK airspace. This restriction is enforced under the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) Regulations, which came into effect on 5 April 2022.”