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SA Express says neither passengers nor crew were in any danger when one of its aircraft made an emergency landing in East London on Wednesday morning.
Flight SA 1331 was en route from Port Elizabeth to Durban when "climbing through flight level 280 (28 000 foot above sea level), the multi-layered wind shield developed a crack, which led to depressurisation of the flight deck and passenger cabin."
"As per procedures and training, the captain (Karen Emery) executed an emergency descent and elected to divert to East London Airport which was the closest suitable airport," the airline statement said.
It added that "as a result of the depressurisation the oxygen masks deployed from the passenger service unit as they are designed to do. Neither crew nor passengers suffered any injuries and a safe landing was carried out."
The aircraft's windshield will be replaced in East London before the aircraft is returned to service.
