Thomas Cook rescue flight diverts to Shannon with technical problem

One of over 40 aircraft taking part in the effort to repatriate 150,000 Thomas Cook holidaymakers was forced to divert to Shannon Airport last night after suffering technical issues off the southwest coast.

Atlas Air flight GTI-2868 was on its way to Orlando, Florida in the US to collect passengers left stranded there by the collapse of the holiday company. The same aircraft had earlier repatriated hundreds of passengers from New York to Manchester.