Summary: A report outlines a series of Air Transat emergency landings and diversions from December 2022 to January 2026, including mechanical and system issues, cockpit medical events, and a fuel emergency that ended with a diversion to Hamilton.

Air Transat emergency landings and diversions between 2022 and early 2026 are the focus of a newly published chronology that describes multiple incidents across Canada, Europe, the Caribbean, and the United States. The account links events involving Montreal, Athens, Faro, Rome, and Toronto, and frames them as reminders that disruptions can stem from mechanical faults, system failures, and crew health issues.

Engine issues and cabin overheating (Dec 2022 – Mar 2023)

The timeline begins in December 2022 with flight TS233 departing Faro. After climbing to FL240, an engine problem forced the aircraft to return. The report says a second attempt later the same day was also interrupted when another PAN PAN was declared, leading to another landing.

In March 2023, an Airbus A330 operating from Holguin to Montreal reportedly experienced an overheating cabin floor along with an acrid burning smell. A PAN PAN was declared and the flight diverted to Nassau, where it landed safely, according to the report.

Burning odour diversion on a transatlantic route (Aug 2023)

On 30 August 2023, Air Transat Flight TS573 from Lyon to Montreal faced a mid-flight emergency after a burning odour was detected in the cockpit. The crew reportedly donned oxygen masks and declared an emergency before diverting to Nantes, where the aircraft landed safely. Investigators later attributed the odour to a technical fault, the report states.

Cockpit medical events (Nov 2023 – Mar 2025)

Not all incidents were mechanical. The report describes a November 2023 flight to Punta Cana in which the captain suffered a severe nosebleed, and an off-duty Air Transat captain who was traveling as a passenger took over.

Further crew health events were listed for 2025. On 4 January 2025, the captain of flight TS880 from London to Cancun was incapacitated; the first officer consulted medical specialists and the flight continued, ending without incident. On 16 March 2025, a first officer was partially incapacitated during final approach on a Cancun-to-Montreal flight, and the captain completed the landing alone, the report says.

Airport departure board showing flight delays and diversions, illustrating airline disruption and emergency landing knock-on effects
Diversions and emergency landings can trigger cascading delays, rebookings, and overnight accommodation needs for passengers.

Technical and system failures: Gatwick, Dulles, and Athens (Jun–Aug 2024)

In June 2024, passengers traveling from Rome to Montreal on flight TS403 (Airbus A330-200) were diverted to London Gatwick after a technical problem arose over the North Atlantic. The report says passengers were told there was no danger, but the diversion led to delays and hotel stays while a replacement aircraft was arranged. The specific fault was not publicly disclosed in the account.

In July 2024, flight TS715 from Santa Clara to Montreal experienced a loss of cabin pressure after a pack fault was detected. The crew carried out an emergency descent, declared Mayday, and diverted to Washington Dulles, where pressurization recovered, according to the report.

In August 2024, flight TS691 from Athens to Montreal reportedly encountered autoflight system failures. The autopilot was shut off, PAN PAN was declared, and the aircraft returned to Athens, where it landed safely despite being overweight, the report states.

Approach incidents into Toronto (Sep 2024)

Two incidents described in the report occurred on approaches to Toronto in late September 2024. On 26 September, flight TS123 from London Gatwick received a landing-gear indication anomaly on final approach. PAN PAN was declared, the aircraft landed, and nose-wheel steering was reportedly lost, requiring the aircraft to be towed from the runway.

The following day, 27 September, flight TS213 from Zagreb reported a rudder travel limiter fault on final approach. Another PAN PAN was declared, and the aircraft landed without further incident, the report says.

Engine shutdown diversion and air-data faults (Apr–Oct 2025)

In April 2025, flight TS803 from Cayo Coco to Toronto reportedly showed dropping oil quantity and pressure on one engine, which was then shut down. The aircraft diverted to Orlando after an emergency was declared, and the report notes passengers faced an eleven-hour wait for a replacement aircraft.

In October 2025, flight TS538 departing Montreal for Cancun experienced malfunctions in its air data reference systems, with cockpit alerts including NAV ADR 1 + 2 faults. PAN PAN was declared, the aircraft reportedly circled for about forty minutes to burn fuel, and then returned to Montreal, where it landed. Passengers were transferred to another aircraft later that day, according to the report.

Fuel emergency diversion to Hamilton (Jan 2026)

The most recent event in the chronology is a January 2026 fuel emergency involving flight TS187 returning from the Caribbean to Canada at night. The report says the flight was delayed by weather and entered a holding pattern. As fuel levels dropped, minimum fuel was declared, followed by PAN PAN, and air traffic controllers vectored the aircraft toward Hamilton. The report adds that Mayday was declared shortly before touchdown and that the aircraft landed with fuel more than three thousand kilograms below the minimum required. An investigation was launched, and the report says calls for stricter fuel planning followed.

Incident summary by category (Jan 2022 – Jan 2026)

  • Mechanical: TS233 (Dec 7 2022, Faro → Toronto); TS357 (Mar 4 2023, Holguin → Montreal); TS573 (Aug 30 2023, Lyon → Montreal); TS123 (Sep 26 2024, London Gatwick → Toronto); TS213 (Sep 27 2024, Zagreb → Toronto); TS803 (Apr 19 2025, Cayo Coco → Toronto)
  • Crew health: TS186 (Nov 2023, Toronto → Punta Cana); TS880 (Jan 4 2025, London (ON) → Cancun); TS539 (Mar 16 2025, Cancun → Montreal)
  • Technical/system failures: TS403 (Jun 6 2024, Rome → Montreal, diverted to London Gatwick); TS715 (Jul 14 2024, Santa Clara → Montreal, diverted to Washington Dulles); TS691 (Aug 13 2024, Athens → Montreal, returned to Athens); TS538 (Oct 14 2025, Montreal → Cancun, returned to Montreal)
  • Fuel: TS187 (Jan 16 2026, Punta Cana → Toronto, diverted to Hamilton)

Why this matters for travelers

For travelers, the report’s timeline is a practical reminder that diversions and emergency procedures—whether triggered by technical issues, system alerts, or crew health events—can lead to unexpected landings, long delays, overnight hotel stays, and last-minute rerouting across borders. Passengers planning trips involving Canada and transatlantic routes may want to allow extra buffer time for connections, keep essential items in carry-on baggage, and ensure travel documents are accessible in case a flight diverts to an alternate airport in another country.