Jet2 (LS) flight LS3643 from Bournemouth Airport (BOH) to Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) made an emergency landing at Faro Airport (FAO) on April 16, 2026, after smoke was reported inside the cabin. The Boeing 737-800 was carrying 141 passengers and landed safely with no injuries.
The crew declared a technical emergency mid-flight and diverted to FAO as a precautionary measure. Portugal’s airport authority confirmed the aircraft touched down safely shortly after noon local time.
Jet2 LS3643: Emergency Diversion to Faro Airport (FAO)
The aircraft departed BOH at 09:54 BST, operating a routine service to the Canary Islands. En route, the crew detected smoke in the cabin, prompting immediate adherence to emergency protocols.
Pilots declared an emergency and coordinated with air traffic control to divert to FAO, the nearest suitable airport along the southern European corridor. According to Portugal Resident, the aircraft landed at approximately 12:24 local time, significantly earlier than its scheduled arrival in LPA.
All passengers disembarked safely following landing to allow a comprehensive technical inspection. Authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported among passengers or crew.
Faro Airport Emergency Response Activation and Ground Handling
FAO activated its full emergency response plan ahead of the aircraft’s arrival. According to regional civil protection authorities, 95 personnel and 41 vehicles were deployed, including firefighters, police units, and medical teams.
Emergency services positioned themselves strategically around the runway to ensure immediate intervention if required. The coordinated response enabled a controlled landing and efficient passenger disembarkation.
The aircraft remained grounded at FAO pending further technical assessment to determine the source of the smoke.
Previous Jet2 emergency diversions involving smoke incidents
Onlya few days ago, a Qantas Airways (QF) Boeing 737-800 operating flight QF857 from Canberra Airport (CBR) to Perth Airport (PER) diverted to Adelaide Airport (ADL) late Friday after crew detected an unusual cabin smell. The aircraft landed safely early Saturday, with no reported injuries.
Jet2 had a similar event in May 2025, when a Jet2 flight from Birmingham Airport (BHX) to Dalaman Airport (DLM) diverted after smoke was reported in both the cockpit and cabin. The aircraft landed safely at Luxembourg Findel Airport (LUX), with no injuries.
Such events underline the aviation industry’s emphasis on immediate diversion protocols when smoke is detected onboard, regardless of severity.
All in All
Standard operating procedures require flight crews to treat any indication of smoke as a potential hazard. This mandates rapid assessment, communication with air traffic control, and diversion to the nearest suitable airport.
The Jet2 crew’s decision-making aligned with these protocols, prioritizing passenger safety over schedule adherence. The coordinated response between flight crew and ground emergency services ensured a controlled resolution without escalation.