Korean Flight Return
Korean Flight Return

Passenger Suspected COVID-19 Caused Korean Flight Return

According to Yonhap News Agency on 26th February; a flight flying from Seoul, South Korea to Tashkent, Uzbekistan returned after it was discovered that a female passenger had similar COVID-19 symptoms, including high body temperature.

Flight HY514 was scheduled to fly from Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN/RKSI) to Tashkent International Airport (TAS/UTTT). The normal flight time is 7 hours.

The flight on 26th February was operated by a Boeing 787-8 aircraft with registration UK78704.

About one hour after takeoff, the aircraft turned around and flew back to Seoul.

a screenshot of a flight information
HY514 Flight History

According to the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, there was a total of 232 passengers and 12 crew on board the aircraft that day. Only 3 of them are South Korean citizens.

During the flight, a 20-year-old female appeared having fever and other COVID-19 similar symptoms. The passenger is an Uzbekistan citizen and also a South Korean resident.

Considering the recent COVID-19 situation in South Korea, the captain immediately decided to turn back. After sending the passenger and her family members back to Incheon, the aircraft fly back to Tashkent again.

Upon arriving, all passengers were tested and none were found to have any symptoms.

However they were required to be quarantined at the airport hotel terminal, Trend reports with the reference to Uzbekistan Airways.

In order to prevent the spread of coronavirus in Uzbekistan, HY514 passengers arriving today from Seoul were placed under temporary sanitary isolation in a separate hall of the Tashkent International Airport Terminal.

In South Korea, the passenger that was tested specifically for COVID-19 also showed as negative.

Cover Image: HUMAN.uz