Avelo Airlines Flight 503, en route from New Castle County Airport to Tampa, Florida, returned to the airport shortly after takeoff on Sunday afternoon.
Although the exact cause of the diversion is unknown, we do know that the pilots diverted the aircraft back to its departure airport, where it landed safely.
Flight records indicate that at 2:48 PM, Flight 503 took off from New Castle County Airport, with over 160 passengers and crew onboard, headed to Tampa. However, shortly after departure, the pilots made the decision to divert the aircraft. Flight tracking data shows that the plane altered its course as it approached Baltimore. The plane flew to the Cecil County, Maryland area before heading south to the Smyrna area before circling back and subsequently executed a safe landing back at New Castle County Airport at 3:29 PM.
In an abundance of caution, rescue crews from the Wilmington Manor Fire Company were dispatched to the airport. After the plane landed, crews reported that there were no obvious conditions on the plane. The aircraft then taxied back to the terminal, allowing the passengers and crew members to disembark safely.
Passengers are currently back at the terminal awaiting an update from the airline.
