Eight-hour flight diverts to Dublin after disruptive passenger and medical case both cause chaos onboard

More than 200 passengers aboard a United Airlines transatlantic flight have spent the afternoon unexpectedly at Dublin airport – due to a disruptive passenger, as well as a passenger with a medical condition that caused concern. UA998 departed normally from Brussels, destination New York Newark, at 11.15am local time on Monday morning. The Boeing 787 flew normally over the Channel, southern England and the Irish Sea, beginning its planned oceanic journey over Ilfracombe in North Devon. But 20 minutes later, while south of Cork, the aircraft diverted to Dublin, where it landed at 12.37pm local time. The plane was directed to a remote stand away from other aircraft, while police and ambulance officers attended. The airport posted on Twitter/X: “Flight UA998 from Brussels to New York’s Newark Airport diverted to Dublin Airport this afternoon due to reports of two separate incidents – a disruptive passenger and a suspected medical issue – on board. “Appropriate protocols were put in place by Dublin Airport Operations and Airport Police for the arrival of the aircraft and Gardai, National Ambulance Service and HSE [Health Service Executive] personnel met the aircraft on arrival.” The presence of HSE staff is believed to indicate that there was concern about a possible case of an infectious disease on board.<br/>