‘Unusual odour’ on flight forces plane to divert

Three passengers were taken to hospital

The Tigerair flight diverted to Melbourne (Flightradar24)

A flight had to divert after an “unusual odour” was detected on board, leading to three passengers being taken to hospital.

Tigerair flight TT644 from Adelaide to Sydney in Australia on 12 December landed instead at Melbourne’s Tullamarine airport at around 8.10pm local time.

The aircraft was met by emergency services.

“In accordance with standard operating procedures, the captain made the decision to divert after an unusual odour was detected in the cabin,” a Tigerair Australia spokesperson told Stuff.

”The aircraft was met on arrival by emergency services as a precautionary measure, all passengers and crew disembarked the aircraft safely.

“An inspection of the aircraft by engineers revealed a mechanical issue with a small power unit onboard, but no damage to the system has been caused and the aircraft has been cleared to return to service this morning.”

“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused,” they added.

Three male passengers were taken to the Northern Hospital, while another six were treated for ear problems at the scene by ambulance crews.

All passengers have since been re-accommodated on another flight this morning.

The Independent has contacted Tigerair for further comment.

It’s not the first time an unexpected scent has prompted a flight diversion.

In July, an American Airlines flight was forced to divert after a mysterious odour was detected onboard.

The flight from Philadelphia International Airport to London Heathrow touched down in Boston at 11.48pm local time, around 90 minutes after take-off.

The airline confirmed that a maintenance team was examining the aircraft following the incident.

None of the 154 passengers or 12 crew members onboard the Airbus A330-300 complained of illness, according to the airline.