Code 'PAN-PAN': What does this signal mean? The Air Europa plane sent to Madrid to make two emergency landings.

What seemed like a routine Paraguay-Madrid flight with 272 passengers on board turned into a "Pan-Pan" emergency for this Air Europa plane, forcing it to land twice this Monday at Silvio Pettirossi Airport, which serves Asunción, due to a "technical problem," according to the National Directorate of Civil Aeronautics (Dinac). But what exactly is this code?

'Pan-Pan'... urgent return to land

The Pan-Pan code is an international radio signal used in maritime and aeronautical communications to indicate an urgent situation, but not one of imminent danger to life. That is, it is used when a vessel or aircraft needs assistance but is not in a critical situation requiring a mayday signal (which does imply a serious and immediate risk).

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This signal is repeated three times at the beginning of the message, followed by the vehicle's identification, its position, the type of problem, and the assistance required. This signal takes priority over all communications except absolute emergency (mayday) calls . This is a very common communication in cases such as non-critical technical failures, moderate medical problems, or situations that could worsen if left unattended but are still under control.

Its name comes from the French "panne," meaning "breakdown" or "fault," and was adopted to clearly differentiate it from the mayday code, which also comes from French ("m'aidez," or "help me"). Both codes were standardized in the conventions of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and are part of the global protocol for radio frequency emergencies and urgencies.

Interestingly, although 'Pan-Pan' does not indicate imminent danger, it can often escalate to a mayday if the situation deteriorates. For example, a ship issuing a Pan-Pan for partial loss of propulsion may end up issuing a mayday if it becomes adrift near rocks. In aviation, pilots may issue 'Pan-Pan' for an onboard medical problem, an anomalous indication in a system , or even for losing communications (radio failure). It can also be used to declare landing priority without being a full-fledged emergency.