A low-fuel situation prompted a diversion for a passenger flight approaching Morocco earlier this year, leading investigators to open an inquiry into the incident.
On January 23rd 2026, a Wizz Air UK Airbus A321neo, registration G-WUNC, operating flight W9-5723 from London Gatwick Airport to Marrakesh, was descending toward its destination when the crew abruptly stopped the descent at about 7,000 feet.
Instead of continuing the approach, the pilots climbed the aircraft back to about FL100 and entered a holding pattern for roughly 20 minutes while assessing the situation. After the hold, the crew made the decision to divert away from Marrakesh.
The aircraft then climbed to FL200 and proceeded toward Casablanca, where it landed safely on runway 17R about 65 minutes after the descent toward Marrakesh had first been halted.
Morocco’s accident investigation authority, the Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses pour les Accidents d’Aviation Civile du Maroc, opened an investigation into the occurrence and classified it as an incident. According to the agency, the aircraft was “short of fuel,” prompting the diversion.
Following the landing, the aircraft remained on the ground in Casablanca for about two hours before departing again. The flight subsequently continued to Marrakesh and arrived at its intended destination with a delay of approximately three and a half hours.
