Qantas flight lands at Sydney airport after issuing distress signal

The incoming Qantas flight are believed to be carrying more than 100 passengers from New Zealand. PHOTO: REUTERS

SYDNEY - A Qantas Airways flight from New Zealand landed at Sydney airport on Wednesday after the airline said it had issued a distress signal due to an issue with one of its engines.

The Boeing 737-800 jet from Auckland, Flight QF144, had issued a “mayday” call while flying over the Tasman Sea an hour from its destination of Sydney, spokesmen from Qantas and the airport said.

The mayday signal, which indicates grave and imminent danger, was downgraded to “Possible Assistance Needed” before landing, the Qantas spokesman added.

Emergency services met the plane when it landed in Sydney around 3.30pm local time.

New South Wales Ambulance earlier said they were on standby at the airport – part of their “emergency activation” plans.

“Paramedics have been called,” an ambulance service spokesman added.

The plane was believed to be carrying more than 100 passengers. Qantas said it would share more information once the aircraft had been assessed by its engineers.

Multiple Australian media outlets reported that the plane had issued the mayday alert after encountering issues with one of its engines.

The Boeing 737-800 is a twin-engine plane and able to land safely with just one engine. REUTERS, AFP

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