The diversion, rated a “serious incident” by Portugal’s GPIAA (Office for Prevention and Investigation of Accidents Involving Aircraft), occurred on 18 January.

The Condor Airbus A320-200 performing flight DE7438 to Lanzarote with 138 passengers and a crew of six had left Hamburg at around 6am.

The aircraft was around two and a half hours into the flight and at cruising altitude, some 60 nautical miles northeast of Lisbon, when the Caption declared emergency at 8.38am due to the First Officer becoming incapacitated.

According to the GPIAA “Due to weather conditions at Lisbon being unsuitable for single pilot operations the captain decided to divert to Faro”, informed the passengers and crew of the decision and requested medical assistance for the co-pilot upon landing.

The aircraft landed safely in Faro about 40 minutes later, at 9.16am. The first officer was seen by medics at the airport and subsequently taken to Faro hospital when his condition did not improve.


A Condor spokesperson told The Portugal News: “During the flight DE7438 from Hamburg to Lanzarote (Canary Islands), the First Officer felt unwell. According to the well trained and regular procedures, the Captain of the flight decided to divert to the next possible airport which was Faro. The aircraft landed safely, all passengers and crew members were fine. Since safety is Condor’s first priority, Condor crews in cockpit and cabin are trained regularly according to the comprehensive regulations of our airline and the EU.

“The affected First Officer underwent a medical check in Faro and was substituted by another First Officer that Condor brought to Faro. Afterwards, the flight to Lanzarote was continued with a total delay of five hours. All passengers were cared for with snacks and drinks at the terminal during their waiting hours. Condor apologises for any inconveniences for the passengers.”