Emergency services in Cape Town responded on Wednesday evening as a British Airways Airbus A350, bound for London, returned to Cape Town International Airport due to a technical issue during the flight.
The flight, BA58, had been airborne for almost two hours when the crew reported smoke in the cockpit.
The pilots made the decision to turn back as a precautionary measure. Emergency response teams at the airport and across the city were placed on standby to assist on the aircraft’s return.
JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security in the City of Cape Town, provided an update on social media. He explained that the City’s Fire & Rescue Services were called in to support the “Phase 2 Emergency Response”.
Four major fire appliances were positioned and ready as the aircraft approached the airport.
After landing, the aircraft was brought to a stop and the flight crew shut down the engines and fuel system. Emergency personnel accompanied the plane to a designated parking area, where passengers disembarked without incident.
Smith noted that Fire & Rescue Services remained on site until the situation was officially concluded. The response has been acknowledged as being well-coordinated and in line with standard emergency procedures.
Airport authorities and city officials are now reviewing the event. An investigation is under way to determine the source of the smoke, with a focus on maintaining safety standards for passengers, crew and emergency teams.
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) confirmed that an incident involving a British Airways flight occurred at Cape Town International Airport on Wednesday and issued this statement:
"While the details surrounding the incident fall within the purview of the airline, we can confirm that all standard airport emergency protocols were immediately activated. Our emergency response teams, supported by all relevant stakeholders, were swiftly deployed in line with established safety procedures to manage the situation effectively and ensure the safety of all concerned.
"We continue to work closely with the airline and relevant authorities as the matter is further assessed."
Cape Argus