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Plus Ultra Flight Diverts to Natal After Mid‑Air Technical Emergency

The incident exposed gaps in the airline’s ground support with travelers still awaiting a replacement service scheduled for Tuesday.

Overview

  • The Airbus A330 operating PU502 diverted to Natal after passengers heard loud noises and experienced cabin pressure changes, and the aircraft landed without injuries.
  • Passengers reported long waits, failed hotel bookings and limited food or water, which triggered protests at the airport and a Polícia Militar presence.
  • Plus Ultra says it provided accommodation and assistance but has not publicly specified the technical fault that forced the diversion, while some passengers said an engine issue was apparent.
  • The airline scheduled a replacement flight, re‑designated PUE902, to depart Natal for Madrid on Tuesday at 18:50 local time and has arranged coordinated transfers from assigned hotels.
  • Reports differ on how many people were affected — the carrier cites 292 passengers while several outlets and travelers estimate about 300–400 — and some passengers are preparing collective legal claims; the episode highlights risks for long‑haul operators with small regional infrastructure.