Vietnam Airlines flight VN36, operated by Airbus B787 aircraft on the route from Frankfurt to Hanoi on January 6, had to make an emergency landing at Kolkata Airport (Calcutta), India to promptly rescue a passenger with serious health problems.
About 8 hours after takeoff, passenger B.M.L, German nationality, sitting in seat 11F, suddenly showed signs of poor health and shortness of breath. The flight attendant team immediately deployed first aid and necessary medical assistance according to the emergency response procedures on the flight.
Due to the passengers' health condition showing no signs of improvement, the flight crew decided to divert and make the plane make an emergency landing at Kolkata Airport (Calcutta), India so that passengers can access necessary medical assistance from the ground as soon as possible.
Immediately upon receiving information from the flight crew, representatives of Vietnam Airlines in India quickly coordinated with ground service providers and airport authorities to deploy an emergency medical support plan. Passengers were then transferred to the hospital for further treatment.
After completing medical support work, flight VN36 restarted at 5:30 am (local time) on January 7.
Vietnam Airlines said that emergency landings are timely and necessary decisions in special situations, showing a sense of responsibility and close coordination between airlines and ground forces. Although route adjustments may incur costs and affect flight schedules, the national airline always puts safety and passenger health first in all operations.
This is one of many cases where Vietnam Airlines has adjusted routes to support passengers in need of medical assistance.
Previously, on September 17, 2025, Vietnam Airlines flight VN30 from Frankfurt (Germany) to Ho Chi Minh City had to make an emergency landing at Istanbul International Airport (Turkey), on July 23, 2025, flight VN837 Hanoi - Siem Reap route had made an emergency landing at Da Nang airport, on July 6, 2025, flight VN56 from Hanoi to England had to make an emergency landing at Kolkata Airport (India); and on June 30, 2025, flight VN7569 from Hanoi to Nha Trang had to make an emergency landing at Da Nang to rescue passengers.
Vietnam Airlines reminds passengers to proactively monitor and self-assess their health condition before each journey. In case they notice any abnormal signs, passengers should consult a doctor in a timely manner and consider flying to ensure health safety.
