Shortly after entering Irish airspace, the crew of the Boeing 737-800 informed air traffic controllers that they might need to divert to Shannon or Cork and requested weather information for both. The crew reported that there was a male passenger on board who “was not feeling well”.

It is understood that the man in his 50s complained of chest pain during the flight and was examined by a doctor. Following this assessment, the doctor recommended that the flight divert to Cork to see a doctor for the passenger.

After receiving weather reports for both airports, the crew chose to divert to Cork and issued a Pan-Pan radio call declaring a medical emergency. A Pan-Pan call tells air traffic controllers that there is an emergency on board an aircraft. However, this is less serious than a May 1 distress call.

The crew were immediately cleared to proceed directly to Cork Airport where emergency medical services were alerted and National Ambulance Service paramedics dispatched to the airport.

The flight landed at 9:20 p.m. and was met at the terminal by airport authorities and paramedics. The patient was assessed and treated at the airport before being transported by ambulance to Cork University Hospital for further treatment.

The flight continued its journey to Dublin at around 10:45 p.m.