Excel denies ‘emergency landing’ reports – 19 Dec 2006

Excel Airways has dismissed reports one of its aircraft had to make an emergency landing after it was reported in a national newspaper.

The 767 aircraft was flying from Egypt to Gatwick when it had to be diverted to Athens on Saturday night.

According to Excel the flight was diverted to Greece after the fuel indicator detected a blockage. All 180 passengers were switched to a waiting aircraft and returned to Gatwick.

A spokesperson for Excel Airways said: "There was no emergency landing, no emergency services were on standby at Athens and the aircraft landed and passengers were moved on to another aircraft.”