EY 183 diversion

[Tashengurt]

Etihad flight EY 183 flying from Abu Dhabi to San Francisco diverted today into Manchester.
Appears it may have been a medical emergency or similar but I was wondering why Manchester?
The flight appeared to have turned towards its final destination while over the North Sea quite close to Norway. It also passed overhead Newcastle on its way in. What factors would make Manchester the crews choice? Medical facilities? Company hub? Jose fans?

[DaveReidUK]

Etihad aren't saying what the "emergency" was, but it can't have been life-threatening given that more than 2 hours elapsed between turning south and landing at Manchester.

Hopefully not a repetition of the incident last week when they landed at MAN with a dead passenger.

Etihad flight diverted to UK | GulfNews.com (http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/emergencies/etihad-flight-diverted-to-uk-1.1853963)

[LAX_LHR]

Firstly, Manchester is a very large operation for Etihad, with offices, engineering, crews etc able to handle the arriva, more effectively.

Given the length of flight, the crews needed to rest due to hours, and the contracts set up meant they could slip into a hotel once the medical was sorted. It can not have been an urgent issue as they seemed happy to continue to MAN rather than an urgent divert.

Manchester also has a large hospital on its doorstep, and while we don't know the medical situation, said hospital specialises in Cardio-Thorasic care.

Secondly, the previous passenger didn't die on an Etihad flight, it was an Emirates flight and without knowing the situation we don't know the reason he died before landing.

[DaveReidUK]

Secondly, the previous passenger didn't die on an Etihad flight, it was an Emirates flight and without knowing the situation we don't know the reason he died before landing.

You're right, of course - getting my ME3s mixed up. :\