Incident Overview

On April 2, 2025, a Virgin Atlantic A350 operating flight VS358 from London to Mumbai had to divert to Diyarbakir due to a passenger medical emergency. After approximately four hours into the flight, the aircraft had a hard landing, leading to an inspection requirement that delayed passenger reboarding. With no engineering support available at the small airport, passengers were stranded for nearly two days, facing inadequate provisions and accommodations. Despite initial attempts to resolve the situation, logistical challenges and lack of local support resulted in significant discomfort for travelers. The incident highlighted the complex nature of airline operations during emergencies and how critical response protocols are in maintaining passenger welfare.