SEATTLE — A Hawaiian Airlines flight heading to Honolulu had to return to Seattle shortly after takeoff due to concerns over fumes detected in the cockpit, as reported by the Federal Aviation Administration. Initially, the crew had reported smoke in the flight deck, but this was later updated to indicate the presence of fumes instead.

The incident involved Hawaiian Airlines Flight 21, an Airbus A330, which took off around 1 p.m. on Monday from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The aircraft was carrying 273 passengers along with a crew of 10 members. It was en route to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu when the crew alerted authorities about the fumes, according to airline representative Marissa Villegas.

In response to the situation, the captain declared an emergency in order to receive priority landing instructions. The aircraft successfully landed safely at Seattle-Tacoma Airport without any further complications. As a safety measure, fire and medical teams were on standby and met the plane at the gate. Fortunately, all passengers and crew members were able to exit the aircraft safely.

After the plane was cleared for safety, the Port of Seattle Fire Department conducted an investigation onboard and reported that they found no signs of smoke or any unusual odors, according to airport spokesperson Perry Cooper. Subsequently, Flight 21 was rescheduled to leave Seattle on Tuesday morning, utilizing a different aircraft.

Marissa Villegas reiterated the airline’s commitment to safety, stating, “Safety is our priority, and we sincerely apologize for this event.” The Federal Aviation Administration is currently looking into the matter to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident.