Thomson flight grounded by flock of seagulls
A Thomson flight from Cardiff to Egypt was forced to divert to Gatwick after it hit a flock of seagulls.
The pilot decided to land the aircraft after the crew detected a smell like ‘roast chicken’.
Passengers on board the Thomson Airways flight to Sharm El Sheikh said they were told an hour into their journey they were being grounded, said the Daily Mail.
One passenger told the newspaper that the aircraft had gone as far as Basle in Switzerland when the pilot announced the flight was returning to the UK.
A spokesman from Thomson said the diversion was a precautionary measure and passengers continued their trip on an alternative aircraft.
"We would like to reassure customers that issues of this nature are very rare," said the company, in a statement.
Last week, a flight had to be grounded after it hit a massive swarm of bees.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports