According to the Algarve District Command of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC), "the alert was given by the aircraft commander at 10:24, and the aircraft landed safely at 10:47."

The Boeing 737-86N, with 179 passengers on board, had taken off from Stansted Airport in London, United Kingdom, and was destined for Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands.

“Following the commander's declaration of emergency, the Preliminary Intervention Plan for Gago Coutinho Airport was activated at its red level, a preventive plan that defines and mobilizes various Civil Protection resources,” the source specified.

After the aircraft commander's alert, the air safety protocol was activated and the flight was given priority for landing, being directed to the runway, where the airport's emergency services were already mobilized.

In total, 94 personnel were mobilized with the support of 41 vehicles, the Civil Protection source concluded.

The problem that forced this emergency landing was not disclosed.