Flight VN37, which departed Hanoi late on May 5, was diverted to Erzurum Airport in Turkey, where it landed at 10:32 am (Vietnam time) after a 61-year-old Vietnamese male passenger showed signs of breathing difficulty and oxygen deficiency roughly eight hours into the journey.

Cabin crew immediately called for medical assistance from any doctors or healthcare professionals on board. With the help of a doctor passenger, the crew administered first aid and provided oxygen for the man.

However, given the seriousness of the passenger’s condition, the flight crew decided to divert to the nearest airport to ensure he received prompt medical attention.

Upon landing, ground personnel at the Erzurum Airport swiftly boarded the aircraft. The passenger, accompanied by a family member, was transferred to a local hospital for further treatment.

After completing necessary procedures and receiving clearance from authorities, VN37 resumed its journey to Frankfurt at 3:00 pm on May 6 (Vietnam time), arriving more than six hours behind schedule. Passengers on board reportedly expressed understanding and support for the crew’s decision to prioritise the passenger’s health.

Vietnam Airlines said the diversion demonstrated the crew’s professionalism, responsibility, and readiness in handling emergencies. While such diversions come with additional costs related to fuel, ground services, and scheduling disruptions, the airline reaffirmed that passengers' safety and health remain its highest priority.

This is not the first time the national carrier has diverted flights to respond to medical emergencies. Most recently, on January 11, flight VN1602 from Buon Ma Thuot to Hanoi landed at Da Nang airport to assist a passenger in need of urgent care. Similarly, in December 2024, flight VN307 from Japan’s Tokyo (Narita airport) to Ho Chi Minh City was forced to make an emergency landing in Taoyuan Airport (Taiwan, China) for the same reason. These actions reflect Vietnam Airlines’ ongoing commitment to safeguarding the wellbeing and lives of its passengers.

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