Delta DL45 to JFK is declaring an emergency after U-turn over Atlantic

A New York-bound Delta Air Lines flight was forced to make an abrupt U-turn over the Atlantic Ocean on Tuesday after declaring an inflight emergency shortly after departure.

DUBLIN — Delta Flight DL45, operated by a Boeing 767-300ER (registration N172DZ), departed Dublin Airport (DUB) at 1:15 PM IST on its scheduled transatlantic journey to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). After climbing to a cruising altitude of 35,000 feet and beginning its oceanic transit, the aircraft encountered an undisclosed issue approximately 90 minutes into the flight.

Flight tracking data showed the wide-body jet executing a sharp turn back toward Ireland while broadcasting a squawk 7700 code, the international signal used by air traffic controllers and pilots to indicate a general emergency.

Flight InformationDetailsFlight NumberDelta Air Lines DL45RouteDublin (DUB) to New York (JFK)AircraftBoeing 767-300ER (Reg: N172DZ)Departure Time1:15 PM ISTEmergency CodeSquawk 7700Expected Arrival Back at DUBApprox. 4:15 PM IST

Air traffic control prioritised the returning jet for an immediate diversion back to Dublin Airport, where emergency ground crews were placed on standby ahead of its anticipated landing around 4:15 PM IST.

The flight is returning to Dublin due to a medical emergency on abord.

UPDATE 16:19 IST
Touch down on runway 28L.

UPDATE 16:27 IST
Taxied to gate 306 of terminal 1.