Qantas flight forced to make ‘dramatic’ landing in Azerbaijan after medical emergency

A Qantas flight has been forced to make an urgent landing in Azerbaijan after a medical emergency, leaving Australian passengers stuck overnight.

A Qantas flight bound from London to Singapore has made a “dramatic” diversion to Azerbaijan after a medical emergency, leaving Aussie passengers stuck overnight.

The QF2 London to Singapore service was diverted to Baku in Azerbaijan and landed at Heydar Aliyev International Airport between Russia and Iran after a medical emergency.

A Qantas flight to Singapore has been diverted after a medical emergency. Picture: NewsWire/David Geraghty

Speaking to the ABC, Australian doctor and passenger Hamish Urquhart said the flight was diverted after a woman in her 60s suffered a cardiac episode.
“The lady was really quite unwell and needed intravenous access while we were trying to land, which was a bit challenging,” Dr Urquhart explained, adding he was required to stabilise the woman alongside other medical professionals on-board.

He said the pilot had to make a “dramatic 180-degree-turn” to make a safe landing at the airport in Baku.

The pilot performed a 180-degree turn to land in Azerbaijan. Picture: FlightAware

A Qantas spokesperson told NewsWire there was no emergency landing made.

“Our QF2 London to Singapore service diverted to Baku in Azerbaijan earlier today due to a medical incident on-board,” they said.

“We apologise to customers for the disruption and are working to get them on their way to Singapore as soon as possible.”

The spokesperson told NewsWire the passengers en route to Singapore would be provided with accommodation and will board a new flight on Tuesday morning as operating crew had “reached their duty limit”.

Meanwhile, Nine News reporter Hannah Sinclair said on X: “Hey @Qantas currently stranded in Azerbaijan with almost 500 other passengers after a medical emergency...

“There’s been no help getting a different flight and airport staff are asking for us to pay for new flights,”.

Originally published as Qantas flight forced to make ‘dramatic’ landing in Azerbaijan after medical emergency