Okuzeka
Aviation vocabulary · Emergencies & Abnormal Situations

Divert

Meaning in aviation, with examples

/daɪˈvɜːrt/verbCore term

In aviation, divert means: To fly to a different airport from the planned destination, for example because of bad weather, a medical emergency or a technical problem.

In Turkish: divert etmek, yedek meydana yönelmek, başka meydana gitmek

How it is used

The airport chosen in advance for this is the 'alternate'. Pilots say 'we are diverting to Ankara', and the noun is 'diversion'. After a diversion, dispatch, ground handling and passengers all need new plans.

Example sentences

  1. Because of fog in Istanbul, we had to divert to Ankara.

  2. The flight diverted when a passenger had a heart attack over the sea.

Common collocations

  • divert to an alternate
  • diversion airport
  • decide to divert
  • weather diversion
  • medical diversion
  • medical emergencyA sudden, serious health problem on board, such as a heart problem, breathing difficulty or loss of consciousness, that needs urgent care.
  • visibilityThe greatest distance at which objects can be clearly seen and identified, reported in metres or kilometres in most countries and in statute miles in the US.
  • flight planThe official details of a planned flight sent to air traffic services before departure: route, levels, speed, aircraft type, fuel endurance and alternate airports.
  • MaydayThe international radio distress call, used when an aircraft or ship is in grave and immediate danger and needs help at once. It is said three times.

More terms: Emergencies & Abnormal Situations

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level: