Definition

DIVERSION (DVRSN)- Flights that are required to land at other than their original destination for reasons beyond the control of the pilot/company, e.g. periods of significant weather.

Source: US FAA JO 7110.65

Description

A diversion is a situation where the pilot decides to land the aircraft at a different aerodrome than originally planned. Diversions can be divided into three broad groups:

• Air turnbacks. These are situations where the aircraft returns to the departure aerodrome.
• En-route diversions. These are situations where the aircraft diverts to an alternate before reaching the vicinity of the planned destination aerodrome.
• Destination diversions. These are situations where the aircraft diverts to an alternate after reaching the vicinity of the planned aerodrome.

Diversions can happen for a number of reasons, e.g.: