Overview
- A Jet2 Boeing 737-800 bound for Lanzarote was struck by lightning during climb after departing Leeds Bradford on June 9 and the pilot diverted to Manchester for a safety landing.
- Emergency services met the aircraft on arrival and the airline confirmed there were no injuries to passengers or crew.
- Jet2 arranged a replacement Airbus A321 so passengers reached Lanzarote about three and a half hours late.
- Aviation trackers and safety sites reported the affected jet remained at Manchester for inspections, with updates noting it was still on the ground roughly 26 hours after the diversion.
- Industry experts and regulators say lightning hits are relatively common and modern airframes are built to channel strike currents over the skin while crews routinely divert so technicians can inspect entry and exit points, electronics and exterior surfaces.