London Gatwick sees double emergency landings after technical issues

On July 15, 2025, two flights approaching London Gatwick Airport encountered emergencies within minutes of each other. The first incident involved British Airways flight BA2203, which had departed for Cancun, Mexico, at 2:30 PM. Shortly after departure, passengers reported a strange smell described as 'used socks' that caused dizziness among the crew. Consequently, the pilots decided to return to Gatwick, and the aircraft spent about half an hour circling the East Sussex coast before landing safely at 3:29 PM, where emergency services awaited its arrival. The airline stated that they identified a technical issue and assured that all passengers disembarked normally, with accommodations provided for the night to continue their travel plans the next day. Within minutes of this incident, an easyJet flight, EZY8520, traveling from Funchal, Madeira, also reported an emergency. The pilots requested priority landing at Gatwick due to a suspected bird strike, which raised safety concerns. Bird strikes can cause engine failures and other significant damages; however, the easyJet flight landed safely and was also met by emergency services as a precautionary measure. EasyJet emphasized their commitment to safety and adherence to operational guidelines. Overall, both incidents raised the importance of air safety protocols during emergencies, highlighting the swift responses from the airlines and airport emergency teams.