A Viva Aerobus flight en route from Miami to Mérida was unexpectedly rerouted to Havana after experiencing an engine malfunction, leading to tense moments for those on board. According to a report by the Mexican daily Por Esto on Wednesday, the aircraft managed to land safely, avoiding any major incidents, thanks to the skillful actions of pilot Roger Alonso Castillo Rivas from Ciudad del Carmen. He was praised on social media for ensuring the safety of the 215 individuals aboard.
On the social media platform X, the Mexican Consulate in Havana announced that Viva Aerobus flight 755, originally bound for Mérida, successfully landed at José Martí International Airport due to an in-flight emergency. The consulate confirmed after speaking with the airline that the passengers were being properly attended to and would be transported to Mérida in the early hours on another flight.
Meanwhile, on social media, relatives of the passengers expressed frustration over the lack of official communication from the airline while they awaited the flight's arrival, initially scheduled for around 5:30 PM at the Mérida airport. Ana C. Baqueiro, whose daughter and grandchildren were on board, shared on Facebook that she only learned of the situation through a phone call from Cuba.
In her post, Baqueiro recounted how her daughter contacted her from Havana to explain they had made an emergency landing due to an engine failure. "I'm at the Mérida airport waiting for the Miami flight carrying my daughter and grandkids. The flight was marked on time, but then I got a call from my daughter in Havana," she wrote.
Her account highlighted a lack of explanation from the airline regarding the incident, with passengers being informed only that a plane from Monterrey would be sent to Havana to collect them. Baqueiro also shared a video capturing the moment of landing in Cuba, where passengers can be heard cheering and expressing relief at their safe arrival.
The audio features a woman's voice exclaiming, "We survived!" In another post, Baqueiro publicly thanked the pilot for his adept handling of the crisis, stating, "Applause for the pilot. He saved the lives of 215 passengers, including my daughter and grandkids. Thank you, may God always bless you."
Emergency Landing in Havana: Key Details
What caused the Viva Aerobus flight to make an emergency landing in Havana?
The flight had to make an emergency landing due to an engine malfunction.
How many passengers were on board the flight?
There were 215 passengers on board the Viva Aerobus flight.
How did the passengers and their families react to the situation?
Passengers were relieved and grateful for their safety, while families expressed frustration over the lack of communication from the airline.