According to the Civil Protection, the pilot felt unwell and required medical assistance.

"It was a red alert for Faro airport, the airport's previous intervention plan was activated, due to a situation of indisposition with regards to sudden illness of the pilot", explained a source from the District Relief Operations Command (CDOS) of Faro to Lusa agency.

The same source explained that the flight in question “had its origin in Luton [in the United Kingdom] and destination Agadir, in Morocco”, and the rescue teams received the alert at 10:22, having made the pre-positioning of means for the aircraft landing.

The plane “landed safely, the pilot was assisted and transported to the hospital in Faro”, and there were no more passengers in need of assistance, explained the source from CDOS in Faro.