'Bird strike' forces easyJet flight to declare emergency and divert landing

An easyJet flight from Glasgow to Southampton diverted to Liverpool after a bird strike prompted an emergency declaration, according to the incident report.

Flight EZY415 issued a squawk 7700 while over Lancashire before diverting to Liverpool John Lennon Airport, where it landed safely at 9.14am local time.

The aircraft involved was an Airbus A319, and the flight had been scheduled to arrive in Southampton at 9.25am. EasyJet confirmed the diversion was due to a bird strike and said a replacement aircraft would transport passengers to their original destination later.

An easyJet spokesperson stated the diversion was in line with procedures following the bird strike and emphasized that passenger and crew safety is the highest priority, apologizing for the inconvenience caused.

Squawk 7700 is a general emergency code used by pilots and air traffic control; the report notes it can indicate various emergencies, including mechanical, technical, or medical situations.