Flight EZY 9143 was due to depart from Manchester to Dalaman in Turkey at 5.30pm on Thursday, August 20, 2026, before a technical issue led to fire crews attending as a precaution
An easyJet aircraft scheduled to depart Manchester Airport was surrounded by fire engines – with passengers evacuated following an alert from the pilot.
Flight EZY 9143 was due to leave Manchester for Dalaman in Turkey at 5:30pm this evening (Thursday, August 20). However, as it was being pushed back ready for departure, the Manchester Evening News understands the pilot reported the smell of fumes in the cockpit.
Following standard procedure, emergency services, including airport fire crews, responded, but the Manchester Evening News understands there was no blaze.
EasyJet says there was a “technical issue’ with the Airbus A321, which meant it could not operate as scheduled with today’s flight cancelled. The airline described the emergency service response as ‘a precaution only.”
Passengers were removed from the aircraft with the airline saying they have been provided hotel accommodation for the night and will travel on a replacement aircraft tomorrow (Friday).
The emergency service response is said to have briefly delayed a small number of other flights due to depart around the same time, but did not cause any major disruption.
Around the same time, a fire alarm is said to have activated in the terminal, but this is believed to have been unrelated and a false alarm. An easyJet spokesperson told the Manchester Evening News: “Flight EZY9143 from Manchester to Dalaman was unable to operate on 20 August due to a technical issue with the aircraft. The aircraft was met by emergency services as a precaution only, and customers disembarked normally.
“Unfortunately, the technical issue meant the flight could not operate as planned. Customers have been provided with hotel accommodation and meals where required and are expected to continue their journey to Dalaman on Friday 21 August on a replacement aircraft.
“We are sorry for any inconvenience this will have caused and did all we could to minimise the impact of the disruption.
“The safety of our customers and crew is easyJet’s highest priority, and easyJet operates its fleet of aircraft in strict compliance with all manufacturers’ guidelines.”