LISBON – An easyJet co-pilot has been rushed to hospital after fainting on a flight from London to Lisbon. The incident happened today on a plane with 193 passengers on board. It was not immediately clear what airport the plane had left from, although it is thought to have been London Luton.

Local reports are saying the pilot landed the aircraft without any problems and his colleague was attended to by paramedics on the runway before being taken to Lisbon’s Santa Maria Hospital. EasyJet has been approached for a comment.

A Ryanair plane had to make an emergency landing at Faro Airport last December after the pilot fell ill. The aircraft was heading from London Stansted to Morocco. The pilot told passengers before landing that he wasn’t feeling well and the diversion triggered a ‘red alert’ at the airport.  A spokesman for Ryanair said at the time: ‘This flight from Stansted to Morocco diverted to Faro when one of the pilots became ill. ‘The aircraft landed normally, and passengers were transferred to an alternative aircraft operated by another crew before continuing to Morocco.’ Last April a packed easyJet plane heading to Agadir in Morocco from London Gatwick had to divert to Faro.

Local reports at the time said the flight diversion was the result of the pilot suffering an ‘indisposition’, and led to an identical red alert being activated before the Airbus A320 was landed safely.  EasyJet said in a comment at the time: ‘easyJet can confirm that flight EZY6469 from London Gatwick to Agadir on 21 April diverted to Faro due to the First Officer requiring medical assistance.

‘The Captain performed a routine landing in accordance with standard operating procedures and the aircraft was met by medical services on arrival in Faro. ‘A replacement crew was arranged and passengers have since continued their journey to Agadir. We apologise for any inconvenience experienced due to the diversion and resulting delay.’ ‘The safety and well-being of its passengers and crew is easyJet’s highest priority.’ (Dailymail.co) …[+]