BOSTON- Air Europa (UX) flight UX91 from Adolfo Suarez Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD) to New York John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) diverted to Boston Logan Airport (BOS) after the crew reported they were close to minimum fuel during descent toward New York. Controllers initially expected the aircraft to enter a hold near JFK, but the crew chose to divert due to limited fuel margins.
The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner operating the service landed safely in Boston after the pilots declared minimum fuel and requested priority handling. The aircraft taxied to the gate without further issues.
Boeing 787 Ran Out of Fuel
Controllers informed the crew of UX91 that arrival delays near JFK would require holding. The cockpit advised that fuel levels were already close to minimum and that extended holding was not viable. The crew made an immediate decision to divert to Boston to maintain safe reserves.
ATC cleared the aircraft toward BOS using the ROBUC3 arrival. During the diversion, the crew reconfirmed that they were committed to Boston since fuel margins could not support a return to JFK or holding patterns.
As the 787 approached Boston, the pilots formally declared minimum fuel and requested priority sequencing. ATC acknowledged the status and provided vectors, altitude assignments, and speed reductions to enable a stabilized approach.
The aircraft landed on runway 22 Left at Boston Logan with controllers granting immediate runway and taxi clearance. The flight completed its diversion without incident.
ATC Communication
The recorded exchange shows that the controller offered a hold near JFK, which the crew declined due to diminishing fuel levels. The crew repeatedly emphasized that while they were not in a Mayday state, they had minimal spare fuel and needed to proceed directly to an alternate airport.
ATC provided rapid routing assistance, including direct navigation points and runway assignments, ensuring an orderly sequence into BOS. The communication remained clear and procedural, reflecting standard responses to minimum fuel declarations.
Here’s a detailed transcription of the communication between Air Europa pilots and Boston ATC as flagged by You Can See ATC as reported by LiveATC.net:
{ts:20}
[Sound of turn one, applause]
{ts:25}
Pilot: Yeah, we’re just making numbers with holding as well. Europa 091.
ATC: Affirmative. I just got put in the hold for volume. You can expect hold unless you need me to go somewhere else.
{ts:46}
Pilot: Europa 091, I understand, you need to go to Boston?
ATC: Europa 091, you are clear to the Boston Airport via left turn, heading 150.
Pilot: Left turn, heading 150.
{ts:60}
Pilot: 091, ready to copy.
{ts:70}
[Applause]
ATC: 091, cleared to the Boston Airport via direct Romeo Uniform India Zulu Echo and fly the ROBUX 3 arrival to Boston.
Pilot: So, ROBUX 3. Roger. Right now, we’re clear, confirmed, direct to Romeo Uniform India.
{ts:102}
ATC: Aeropa 091, direct RUIZ spelled correctly, ROBUC3 arrival. Romeo Oscar Bravo Uniform Charlie 3 to Boston.
Pilot: Roger.
{ts:143}
ATC: So we could get you pointed in that direction pretty quickly. We could proceed directly to JFK.
Pilot: Not direct to JFK, but you can proceed to Boston. Europa 091, we are close to minimum fuel, so no, we are committing to Boston.
{ts:163}
ATC: 091 heavy, bounce, expect left.
Pilot: 091 heavy, left.
ATC: 091 heavy, affirmative, expect.
{ts:190}
[Music]
{ts:200}
ATC: 091 heavy, contact.
{ts:218}
ATC: 091 heavy, B approach.
{ts:232}
Pilot: Yeah, we’re declaring minimum fuel. We request priority. We’re not yet on Mayday. We have minimum fuel, but we don’t have too much fuel to spare.
ATC: 091 heavy, roger.
{ts:239}
ATC: 091 heavy, flight heading 36, maintain 5,000 for sequence.
Pilot: 36, maintain 5,000.
{ts:252}
ATC: Turn heading 1, 091 heavy, reduce to 190 knots.
Pilot: 190 knots, Aeropa 091.
{ts:262}
ATC: 091 heavy, maintain 4,000, 7 maintain 400, turn one…
Pilot: 091 heavy, turn left heading 310.
{ts:275}
ATC: 091 heavy, turn left heading 310.
Pilot: 310, Aeropa 091.
{ts:287}
ATC: Reduce to 180 knots.
{ts:296}
ATC: 091 heavy, cross lane 3,000 or above, cleared left 22 left approach.
Pilot: 22 left, cross at 3,000 ft, cleared for approach.
{ts:302}
ATC: Maintain 170 knots to final approach fix.
Pilot: 170 to FAP, Aeropa 091.
{ts:314}
ATC: Reduce speed to 150.
ATC: 091 heavy, contact Boston tower 132.22.
Pilot: Good day.
{ts:330}
ATC: Good night. One to two left on final, 091 heavy. Lost entire fall Challenger 2 mile final, wind 019 at 26, runway 22 left, cleared to land.
{ts:364}
ATC: Turn right on runway 27 left, 091.
Minimum fuel declarations signal that an aircraft cannot tolerate delays beyond those already anticipated. This situation requires ATC to avoid creating additional delays, but does not constitute an emergency unless the pilot later issues a Mayday for fuel.
In this case, the Air Europa crew acted within established protocols to ensure a safe diversion. Landing at Boston preserved required reserves and avoided entry into an emergency state.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
