SunExpress flight diverted to Skopje after co‑pilot fell ill
Flight from Cologne/Bonn to Antalya made an emergency landing in Skopje after the co‑pilot’s health deteriorated; passengers later continued on a replacement plane.
A SunExpress passenger jet en route from Cologne/Bonn to Antalya was diverted to Skopje after the co-pilot became unwell during the flight, emergency services and the airline said. The aircraft made an unscheduled landing at Skopje Airport in the early hours of the morning on November 2, 2026.
The crew declared an emergency and requested permission to land in Skopje; the plane touched down safely at 05:06. The flight had departed Cologne/Bonn shortly after 03:00 local time.
In‑flight emergency and medical assistance
While flying over the Balkans the crew transmitted the standard distress signal with code 7700 to notify air traffic control of an urgent situation. German broadcaster RTL reported that the co-pilot experienced stomach pain and a headache during the flight. Medical aid was provided to him after the aircraft landed in Skopje. The airline did not give further details about his condition.
Passengers were transferred to a replacement aircraft that arrived to Skopje from Vienna. A Boeing 737-800 took the passengers on to Antalya.
Although the flight was originally scheduled to arrive in Antalya at 08:20 local time, the aircraft reached Turkey at about 16:20 local time after the diversion and subsequent re‑routing. SunExpress confirmed the diversion was for medical reasons and that the plane landed safely.
Photo: press material from the event
