Thomsonfly aircraft takes evasive action due to light aircraft

Airline Industry Information, May 21, 2004

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

A Thomsonfly passenger jet was reportedly forced to take evasive action when a light aircraft flew into uncontrolled airspace close to Coventry Airport, UK.

The aircraft - a Boeing 737 - had been travelling from Valencia to Coventry on 12 May 2004 when it was forced to change course. Managers at the airline have confirmed that the aircraft was forced to change course by "a couple of degrees" as a precautionary measure.

An airline spokesperson said that the change was required after air traffic controllers at both Birmingham and Coventry airports detected a light aircraft in uncontrolled airspace as the Thomsonfly jet was approaching.

However, the incident has not yet been reported to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which will launch a full investigation when a report is filed, according to the Coventry Observer.

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