Fly Erbil flight diverts to Romania after passenger heart attack

BUCHAREST, Romania, — A flight operated by Fly Erbil made an emergency landing in the Romanian capital early Thursday after a Kurdish tourist onboard experienced a heart attack while en route to Germany.

The passenger, who was traveling on a direct flight from Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, to Hanover, suffered a heart attack as the aircraft entered Romanian airspace, according to a statement published by Fly Erbil on its official Facebook page.

The incident occurred late Wednesday night, prompting the flight crew to divert the plane to Henri Coandă International Airport in Bucharest.

Upon landing, airport medical personnel boarded the aircraft and transported the passenger to a local hospital for urgent care.

The airline did not disclose the individual’s name or condition. Following the medical emergency and passenger transfer, the flight resumed its scheduled route and continued on to its final destination in Hanover.

On December 21, 2024 a Fly Erbil flight headed to London made an emergency landing in Croatia due to technical problems.

Fly Erbil is the first Kurdish-owned airline, based in Erbil, the capital city of Iraqi Kurdistan Region. The airline is reportedly owned by the ruling Barzani family or a company closely linked to them.

While heart attacks on planes are rare, they are serious medical emergencies. Flight crews receive training to handle these situations, including cardiac events. According to Verywell Health, heart problems are the most common cause of death during flights.

If a passenger shows signs of a heart attack, such as chest pain, flight attendants respond by assessing the situation and providing first aid. This may include giving oxygen or medications like aspirin and nitroglycerin if available.

Airlines also follow procedures to get advice from medical experts on the ground and may choose to divert the flight to get the passenger medical help quickly.