Passengers on board a Spirit Airlines flight from Jamaica to Florida were instructed to prepare for a water emergency on Saturday following a suspected mechanical issue. The incident occurred shortly after Flight NK270 departed from Montego Bay en route to Fort Lauderdale.

The airline promptly issued a statement, confirming that the Airbus A321 aircraft had to return to Montego Bay's Sangster International Airport due to the mechanical issue. However, the airline assured passengers that the problem did not compromise the safety of the flight.

As a precautionary measure, passengers were instructed to don their life vests and prepare for a water landing. The airline emphasized that this procedure was carried out out of an abundance of caution. Despite the nerve-wracking situation, the flight landed safely at Montego Bay's airport, and guests were able to disembark the aircraft without any issues.

According to FlightAware data, the passengers were then rebooked on a new flight to Fort Lauderdale. Although the delay caused them to arrive approximately 45 minutes behind schedule, the airline ensured that the passengers reached their destination without further complications.

One passenger conveyed their experience to The Gleaner, a Jamaican daily newspaper, stating that the pilot had informed them about the potential water landing. The passenger further shared that the highest emergency level was activated at Sangster International Airport due to the suspected loss of pressure in the aircraft. The ordeal left the passengers feeling anxious, but ultimately they were relieved when the flight safely touched down.

Speaking on behalf of the airline, Spirit Airlines pledged to conduct a thorough evaluation of the Airbus A321 with the assistance of their maintenance team. Additionally, they expressed their apologies to the passengers for the inconvenience caused by the incident.

As investigations proceed, the focus will be on identifying the cause of the suspected mechanical issue and implementing corrective measures if necessary to ensure the future safety and smooth operations of Spirit Airlines flights.