Passengers aboard a flight returning from Spain experienced intense fear as their aircraft encountered severe turbulence, prompting an emergency landing by the pilot.
The incident occurred on a Wizz Air flight traveling from Alicante, Spain, to Fiumicino Airport in Rome. A video shared on social media captured the harrowing moments as terrified passengers reacted to the turbulent conditions inside the Airbus A321.
With seatbelt signs illuminated and most cabin lights off, the atmosphere onboard heightened the anxiety for travelers. The video posted on TikTok was captioned “Moments of terror on the flight,” as passengers could be heard expressing distress, including shouts of “Oh God” and “No, no, no!”
Extreme weather conditions in Italy, including a severe thunderstorm warning in Rome, affected the flight’s landing. After unsuccessful attempts at Fiumicino Airport, the pilot redirected the aircraft to Bologna, approximately 250 miles away, for a safe landing. Despite the typical flight duration of under two hours, delays and turbulence led to the plane arriving in Bologna at 3:53 a.m., nearly three hours later than scheduled.
In a statement, Wizz Air explained that adverse weather conditions at Rome Fiumicino Airport necessitated the diversion to Bologna. Passengers were provided ground transportation from Bologna to Rome, and those who had arranged their own transportation were promised refunds.
The airline emphasized that passenger safety is its top priority and highlighted the standard procedure of aborting a landing when conditions are unsuitable for a safe touchdown. Wizz Air commended the flight crew for their actions during the turbulence and for the decision to divert the flight to ensure everyone’s safety.