Turbulence terror puts 11 in hospital

Eleven passengers have been hospitalised after 'freak' mid-air turbulence that forced a plane travelling from Bridgetown-Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI/TBPB) to Manchester International Airport (MAN/EGCC) to divert less than three hours after taking off.

The 225 passengers and 13 crew members aboard the chartered Airbus A330 plane serving passengers on a P&O cruise were expecting to make it home for Christmas, after they took off from Barbados just before midnight on the 23rd of December.

But two-and-a-half hours after Maleth Aero Flight 1975 had taken off from Barbados, the Airbus experienced severe 'clear-air turbulences' while cruising at 38,000 ft.

The plane diverted to Bermuda L. F. Wade International Airport (BDA/TXKF) and the passengers were forced to spend Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day away from their families.

The 11 passengers were taken to hospital. Their wellbeing is not currently known.
None of the 13 crew members were injured during the flight.
A replacement plane was set to take off 4pm on Boxing Day, arriving back in the UK in the early hours of Wednesday the 27th of December.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Maleth Aero

Code: DB/MLT

Aircraft: Airbus A330-203

Registration: 9H-MFS

Serial Number: 0700

Engines: 2 x GE CF6-80E1A3

First Flew: October 2005

Age: 18 Yrs