Delta flight to New York turns back to Dublin after emergency declaration

A Delta Air Lines flight bound for New York turned back over the Atlantic on Tuesday after its crew declared an in-flight emergency. The aircraft, a Boeing 767-300ER registered N172DZ, left Dublin Airport at 1:15 PM IST on its scheduled service to John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Tracking data shows the jet climbed to 35,000 feet before the problem arose roughly 90 minutes into the flight. It then made a sharp turn back toward Ireland while transmitting squawk 7700, the code pilots use to signal a general emergency to air traffic control.

Controllers gave the returning aircraft priority to divert to Dublin, where emergency ground crews were on standby. The jet was expected back at about 4:15 PM IST.

Neither Delta Air Lines nor aviation authorities have confirmed what the emergency involved, whether technical, mechanical or medical. The airline has also not said how passengers on board will be rebooked. The flight number was DL45, and Dublin to New York was the aircraft's scheduled sector.