LATAM flight diverts to Gran Canaria due to medical emergency

A LATAM Boeing 787 Dreamliner traveling from Santiago de Chile to Madrid was forced to divert to Gran Canaria due to a medical emergency involving a passenger suffering from serious cardiac issues.

The emergency occurred while the aircraft was over the Atlantic Ocean, specifically west of the Madeira archipelago within Portuguese-managed airspace. While on board, several doctors assisted the passenger with first aid as the crew requested an immediate diversion.

Air traffic control centers in both Spain and Portugal coordinated to provide the most direct and expedited flight path to Gran Canaria. Controllers noted that low air traffic density at the time allowed for a direct descent to minimize arrival time. Upon landing, emergency services met the aircraft on the runway to attend to the passenger. Following the medical evacuation, the flight continued its journey to Madrid.