Air Malta jet makes safe emergency landing in Rome

An Air Malta aircraft made an emergency landing at Rome's Fiumicino airport early yesterday morning after a technical hitch in its air-conditioning system.

Flight KM4101, carrying 179 passengers and six crew between Corfu and Manchester, was cut short as the aircraft landed safely in Rome at about 2.30 a.m.

The aircraft, an Airbus A320, left Corfu at 11.40 p.m., on one of the scheduled flights the airline operates from the Greek island to the UK.

According to Italian news agencies there was a smell of something burning coming from rows 22 and 23 of the aircraft an hour into the flight. The captain immediately contacted the Rome air traffic control tower asking for authorisation to land.

Teams of rescuers, firemen and medical specialists were on duty at the airport as a precautionary measure. The aircraft landed safely in Rome and the passengers disembarked through the normal exits.

A relief aircraft and crew were dispatched to Rome to transport the passengers to Manchester and minimise the inconvenience caused by the diversion. In Rome, the passengers were provided with all the necessary assistance.

The passengers were flown to Manchester at 6.30 a.m. on the replacement Airbus.

In addition, Air Malta's engineering staff were also sent to Rome and the aircraft, which is not one of the newly acquired jets, was subsequently certified clear to fly by both British Airways' and Air Malta's engineers.

Air Malta said it regretted any inconvenience caused to passengers. "The airline wishes to stress that the safety and well-being of its passengers and crew is of primary concern at all times."