What happened
On January 18, 2015, at approximately 08:38 UTC, an Airbus A320-200, registration D-AICI, operated by Condor Flugdienst, declared a MAYDAY due to the incapacitation of the co-pilot. The aircraft was conducting a scheduled flight from Hamburg (EDDH) to Lanzarote (GCRR) and was cruising at flight level 370, approximately 60 nautical miles northeast of Lisbon.
Because the flight crew was reduced to a single pilot, the commander had to consider landing options. Due to Low Visibility Operations (LVO) conditions at Lisbon (LPPT), the commander decided to divert the aircraft to Faro (LPFR). During the diversion, while the aircraft was in the ground phase of operation, the commander notified the cabin crew and passengers of the change in flight plan and requested medical assistance for the co-pilot upon arrival in Faro.
The aircraft landed safely in Faro at approximately 09:16 UTC. There were no injuries to the 144 persons on board, and no damage was sustained by the aircraft.
The investigation
The GPIAAF investigation established that the commander successfully managed the emergency by diverting to an airport with suitable weather conditions. Upon landing, medical teams met the aircraft, and the co-pilot was subsequently transported to a hospital in Faro as his medical condition did not show immediate improvement.