Kolkata: Flight makes emergency landing after first-time flier suffers panic attack

KOLKATA: A young first-time flier from the city had a panic attack on board a Surat-bound SpiceJet flight on Tuesday forcing the aircraft to head back to Kolkata airport within half-an-hour of its departure and seek a “medical emergency” landing in the afternoon.

The teenager, who was flying alone, complained of heart palpitation, sweating, breathlessness and chest pain within few minutes of take off at 12.08pm, forcing the pilot to make a return journey and make emergency landing at 12.40pm.

After landing, a team of doctors at the airport rushed to the aircraft and examined the passenger and realised he had a panic attack.

Airport officials said the doctors treated and counselled the teenager following which he said he was ready to fly and the flight resumed its journey again at 2.02pm. He didn’t experience any further panic attacks, airport officials said.

“On 26th February 2019, SpiceJet B737 aircraft was scheduled to operate SG-389, Kolkata-Surat flight. The aircraft was involved in an incident of air turn back owing to a medical emergency onboard,” a Spicejet spokesperson later said in a statement.

Also on Tuesday, a Delhi-bound Vistara flight from Bagdogra – UK 726 -- made an emergency landing at the airport after a 39-year-old passenger complained of respiratory distress mid-air.