Jet2 Flight Forced Into Emergency Landing After Bird Strike on Crete Route

A Jet2 flight bound for the Greek island of Crete was forced to make an emergency landing at Manchester Airport on Monday after striking a bird shortly after takeoff, aviation trackers and passenger accounts confirmed.

Flight LS443, operated by a 28-year-old Boeing 737-800 (registration G-GDFD), departed Leeds Bradford Airport at approximately 9:00 a.m. Local time on April 28, 2026. The aircraft encountered a bird strike during its initial climb, prompting the crew to halt further ascent and assess the situation.

Emergency Landing in Manchester

The plane leveled off at around 4,500 feet and entered a holding pattern south of Leeds Bradford Airport while pilots conducted safety checks. Despite being closer to its departure airport, the crew opted to divert to Manchester Airport, landing safely at 9:53 a.m.

Aviation experts cited procedural reasons for the diversion. Manchester Airport offers longer runways, more extensive maintenance facilities, and greater operational flexibility for rebooking passengers onto replacement aircraft. The decision aligns with standard protocols for aircraft experiencing technical issues in the region.

Passenger Alex, from Baildon, described hearing a “very loud bang” followed by an “immediate smell of burning feathers and flesh.” He recounted the aircraft holding at 10,000 feet north of Manchester for approximately an hour before landing. Emergency crews met the plane on the runway to inspect the engine and landing gear.

“We held north of Manchester Airport at 10,000ft for an hour or so as we waited to land. Emergency crews met us at the end of the runway [in Manchester] to inspect the engine and landing gear as we landed heavy. We left the aircraft and moved to another A320 at Manchester. We were back in the air by lunchtime.”

Alex, passenger on Flight LS443

Passenger Rebooking and Aftermath

After the inspection, passengers were transferred to a replacement Airbus A320 and resumed their journey to Heraklion later the same day. Jet2 has not released an official statement regarding the extent of damage to the Boeing 737-800 or the specific cause of the bird strike.

Bird strikes remain a persistent hazard in aviation, though modern aircraft are designed to withstand such incidents. The UK Civil Aviation Authority records hundreds of bird strikes annually, with most resulting in minor damage or no impact on flight safety. However, severe cases can lead to engine failure or other critical system malfunctions, necessitating emergency procedures.

Manchester Airport, one of the UK’s busiest hubs, handles numerous diversions each year due to weather, technical issues, or medical emergencies. Its infrastructure makes it a preferred destination for aircraft requiring immediate attention, particularly those operating in northern England.

No injuries were reported among the 189 passengers and crew on board Flight LS443. The incident is under review by aviation authorities, though no immediate regulatory action has been announced.