Summary
- Jet2 flight 984 from Bodrum to Manchester was diverted to Antalya due to an engine issue, causing operational disruptions.
- The aircraft involved was a Jet2 Airbus A321-200N with a few months of service and an all-economy cabin configuration.
- Jet2's fleet renewal includes orders for 98 Airbus A320neo and A321neo jets, highlighting the airline's focus on sustainability and lower emissions.
On August 25th, a Jet2 A321-200N en route from Bodrum to Manchester diverted to Antalya because of a problem with one of the engines. The pilots landed the aircraft safely at Antalya International Airport (AYT).
What happened to Jet2 flight 984
A diverted flight is never good news. Besides being a cause of stress for flight crew and passengers, a diversion leads to a cascade of operational disruptions.
On August 25th, this fate was met by a Jet2 Airbus A321-200N en route from Milas–Bodrum Airport (BJV) to Manchester International Airport (MAN). LS984 left Bodrum at 02:38 local time (23:38 UTC) for its approximately four hours and ten-minute flight to the Northwest England airport. As the aircraft was climbing out of Bodrum’s runway 10L, the left-hand LEAP 1A engine released a number of bangs and streaks of flames, prompting the crew to shut the engine down.
The aircraft then stopped its climb at 9,000 feet, circling around Bodrum nine times. Finally, 40 minutes after takeoff, the pilots subsequently decided to divert to Antalya. After deciding to divert, the aircraft climbed to FL140, and then at 04:03 local time (1:03 UTC), the aircraft safely touched down on runway 36C.
Following the safe landing, passengers were taken to hotels and then transferred to another aircraft that flew them to their final destination of Manchester the following day. The occurrence aircraft registered G-SUNB is still on the ground in Antalya more than 50 hours after landing there. Jet2 has reported that the aircraft was diverted due to a technical issue. According to a passenger on the flight, the left engine “exploded” 4 times with flames and sparks when interviewed on a local Turkish TV show.
What do we know about the aircraft involved?
The aircraft involved in the diversion is one of Jet2’s three Airbus A321-200neos, G-SUNB, powered by two CFMI LEAP-1A32 engines. CFM International is a joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engine. The aircraft is just a few months old as it was delivered to Jet2 on March 15th, 2023, and it is not difficult to spot, as it features a Jet2Holidays livery painted on a primarily white fuselage with a blue tail that features a bright yellow sun.
Jet2 has the aircraft configured in an all-economy class cabin in a 3-3 configuration. Each of the 232 seats has 29 inches of pitch and 17.5 inches of width.
Fleet renewal
Jet2 received its first A321neo in March of this year, just two years after Jet2 made the initial order for the type, and was a highly-anticipated event for many in the UK’s commercial aviation scene. The Yorkshire-based carrier made its first order for the type in August 2021, marking the first time it had ever purchased brand-new Airbus jets.
Due to the all-economy layout, Jet2 can reduce the aircraft’s costs per seat and its emissions. The airline has highlighted the A321neo’s sustainability credentials, noting that its per-seat emissions are around 20% lower than older jets.
The airline has firm orders for 98 Airbus A320neo and A321neo jets, with the option for this number to rise to as high as 146 jets. It is apparent that Airbus’ next-generation narrowbodies will become the backbone of Jet2’s fleet for years to come.
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