Montreal Joins Athens, Faro, Rome and Toronto with Emergency Landings by Air Transat: New Reports Unveil Shocking Details

From 2022 through early 2026 a series of emergency landingcrises has been suffered by Air Transat. The following chronology shows how mechanical faults and human frailty created drama across Canadian skies and beyond.

Engine Drama and Overheating Floors (Dec 2022 – Mar 2023)

Misfortune was experienced by Air Transat in December 2022 when flight TS233 was airborne from Faro. The aircraft climbed to FL240 when an engine problem compelled a return. A second attempt hours later was cut short when another alarming PAN PAN was declared and a landing was made[1]. In March 2023 an Airbus A330 bound for Montreal from Holguin was reported to have an overheating cabin floor and an acrid burning smell. PAN PAN was declared and a diversion to Nassau was executed, where the aircraft rolled to a safe stop[2]. The airline was jolted and passengers were deeply shaken.

Burning Odour Diversion (Aug 2023)

On 30 August 2023 a mid‑flight scare was endured on Air Transat Flight TS573 from Lyon to Montreal. A burning odour was noticed in the cockpit and oxygen masks were donned by the crew and an emergency was declared. Fears of fire were felt through the cabin as the Airbus A330 was descended toward a safe airport. A diversion to Nantes was executed, where a safe landing was achieved[3]. Later it was noted by investigators that a technical fault had produced the odour. Passengers were shaken by the thought that catastrophe had nearly unfolded. The reputation suffered and fear lingered.

Medical Emergencies in the Cockpit (Nov 2023 – Mar 2025)

During a November 2023 flight to Punta Cana a severe nosebleed was suffered by the captain; an off‑duty Air Transatcaptain traveling as a passenger replaced him[4]. On 4 January 2025 the captain of flight TS880 from London to Cancun was incapacitated; medical specialists were consulted by the first officer and a decision was made to continue and the flight concluded uneventfully later[5]. On 16 March 2025 a first officer was partially incapacitated during final approach on a Cancun to Montreal flight, so the landing was executed by the captain alone without further incident[6]. These dramas highlighted the fragility of air travel.

Technical Diversion Across the Atlantic (Jun 2024)

In June 2024 travellers bound for Montreal from Rome were unexpectedly landed in London Gatwick. Air Transatflight TS403, an Airbus A330‑200, was cruising over the North Atlantic when a technical problem was encountered and a diversion was made[7]. An announcement was heard by passengers that no danger existed, but anxiety was felt as the jet was turned north. A landing was made at Gatwick without incident, but a cascade of delays was triggered by the unscheduled diversion and passengers were moved to hotels while a replacement aircraft was prepared. The technical fault was not disclosed publicly and speculation grew.

Cabin Pressure and Autoflight Failures (Jul 2024 – Aug 2024)

In July 2024 a loss of cabin pressure was faced by Air Transatflight TS715 from Santa Clara to Montreal. A pack fault was detected by the crew. An emergency descent was executed and Mayday was declared while a diversion to Washington Dulles was performed where pressurization recovered[8]. August 2024 Air Transat flight TS691 from Athens to Montreal suffered autoflight system failures. The autopilot was shut off and alarms filled the cockpit. PAN PAN was declared and a return to Athens was undertaken where the overweight aircraft was landed safely[9]. The complexity of modern airliners was underlined by these failures.

Landing‑Gear and Flight‑Control Scares (Sep 2024)

During autumn 2024 two consecutive scares were experienced on approaches to Toronto. On 26 September Air Transatflight TS123 from London Gatwick was on final approach when a landing‑gear indication anomaly was received. PAN PANwas declared, a landing was accomplished, nose‑wheel steering was lost and the aircraft had to be towed off the runway[10]. The next day flight TS213 from Zagreb reported a rudder travel limiter fault on final approach[11]. Another PAN PAN was declared. The Airbus was landed without incident and taxied away, but travellers were unnerved and many watchers were shocked as news spread nationwide causing outrage.

Engine Shutdown and Mechanical Fear (Apr 2025)

In April 2025 another mechanical nightmare was suffered by Air Transat. Flight TS803 from Cayo Coco to Toronto was cruising when dropping oil quantity and pressure on one engine were noticed by the crew. Moments later the engine had to be shut down[12]. An ominous silence was heard as the turbofan spooled down and the Airbus A330 was descended toward Orlando. An emergency was declared and a diversion was made. After a safe landing at Orlando an eleven‑hour wait for a replacement aircraft was endured[13]. Questions about maintenance were raised and calls for stricter inspections across the industry were spurred.

Air‑Data Failures over Canada (Oct 2025)

In October 2025 flight TS538 bound for Cancun departed Montreal when its air data reference systems malfunctioned. Cockpit warning lights were illuminated with the message NAV ADR 1 + 2 faults[14]. Navigation systems were compromised and PAN PAN was declared. The Airbus A321neo was made to circle for forty minutes to burn fuel before a return to Montreal was executed and a landing was made. Passengers were transferred to a replacement aircraft later that day[15]. It was underscored by the incident how quickly a routine departure can become an emergency requiring immediate decisions by pilots, leaving passengers drained and deeply shaken.

Fuel Emergency at Hamilton (Jan 2026)

In January 2026 a fuel emergency was experienced by Air Transat. The flight was returning from the Caribbean to Canada that night. Flight TS187 was delayed by weather and a holding pattern was entered. As fuel gauges dropped minimum fuel was declared and then PAN PAN was issued as it became clear the reserves would not last. The Airbus was vectored toward Hamilton by air traffic controllers. Moments before touchdown Mayday was declared[16]. The aircraft was landed with fuel more than three thousand kilograms below the minimum required. An investigation was launched and calls for stricter fuel planning were echoed.

Conclusion: Fragility of Flight

These incidents underscore that even modern airliners are vulnerable. Vigilance, maintenance, training, clear communication and accountability remain essential to prevent tragedies and ensure passengers trust.

Category‑wise Summary of Air Transat Emergency Landings (Jan 2022 – Jan 2026)

Date & Flight	Category	Key details
Dec 7 2022 – TS233 Faro → Toronto	Mechanical	Engine problem, return to Faro twice, PAN PAN, safe landings[1]
Mar 4 2023 – TS357 Holguin → Montreal	Mechanical	Overheating cabin floor, burning smell, PAN PAN, diversion to Nassau[2]
Aug 30 2023 – TS573 Lyon → Montreal	Mechanical	Burning odour, oxygen masks donned, emergency declared, diverted to Nantes[3]
Nov 2023 – TS186 Toronto → Punta Cana	Crew health	Captain’s nosebleed, off‑duty pilot took control[4]
Jan 4 2025 – TS880 London (ON) → Cancun	Crew health	Captain incapacitated, first officer continued flight[5]
Mar 16 2025 – TS539 Cancun → Montreal	Crew health	First officer partially incapacitated, landing handled by captain[6]
Jun 6 2024 – TS403 Rome → Montreal	Technical	Technical problem led to diversion to London Gatwick[7]
Jul 14 2024 – TS715 Santa Clara → Montreal	System failure	Cabin pressure lost, Mayday, diversion to Washington Dulles[8]
Aug 13 2024 – TS691 Athens → Montreal	System failure	Autoflight failures, PAN PAN, manual landing at Athens[9]
Sep 26 2024 – TS123 London → Toronto	Mechanical	Landing gear indication anomaly, PAN PAN, loss of nose‑wheel steering[10]
Sep 27 2024 – TS213 Zagreb → Toronto	Mechanical	Rudder travel limiter fault, PAN PAN, safe landing[11]
Apr 19 2025 – TS803 Cayo Coco → Toronto	Mechanical	Engine oil quantity/pressure drop, engine shut down, diverted to Orlando[12]
Oct 14 2025 – TS538 Montreal → Cancun	System failure	Air data reference faults, PAN PAN, return to Montreal[17]
Jan 16 2026 – TS187 Punta Cana → Toronto	Fuel	Fuel shortage, minimum fuel and PAN PANdeclared, Mayday, landing at Hamilton with low reserves[16]

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