A Vietnam Airlines aircraft is parked at Kolkata Airport in India to assist a passenger, July 7, 2025. Photo courtesy of Vietnam Airlines

A Vietnam Airlines flight from London to Hanoi made an emergency landing at Kolkata airport in India to assist a Danish passenger experiencing a medical emergency.

Flight VN56 departed from London Heathrow Airport on Sunday night (local time). About nine hours into the flight, a Danish passenger showed signs of unstable health. The crew administered initial first aid, but the passenger’s condition did not improve.

The captain made the decision to divert the flight and land at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, notifying ground crew to prepare for medical assistance.

The passenger was then transported to a local medical facility for further monitoring, accompanied by two family members.

After completing the necessary procedures, flight VN56 resumed its journey to Hanoi at 3:43 p.m. on Monday (local time), approximately three hours behind the scheduled arrival time.

Several Vietnam Airlines flights have had to divert for passenger medical emergencies recently.

On June 30, flight VN7569 from Hanoi to Nha Trang was diverted to Da Nang. On June 16, flight VN158 from Da Nang to Hanoi made an emergency landing at Phu Bai Airport (Hue) to assist a passenger.

On May 5, 2025, flight VN35 from Hanoi to Frankfurt (Germany) was diverted to Erzurum Airport in Turkey.

The airline advises passengers to consult a doctor if they experience any unusual health symptoms and to consider their fitness for flying.

Source: VN EXPRESS