Passengers got an unwelcome jolt during a BermudAir flight this week to White Plains, New York, as the aircraft abruptly dropped in altitude.

However, the carrier said the incident on flight 223 on Wednesday came after “an aircraft system indication that required the crew to follow established procedures and conduct a controlled descent to a lower altitude purely as a precautionary measure”.

A spokeswoman added: “While the descent may have felt sudden or concerning to those on board, it was a deliberate and appropriate response by the crew in accordance with their training and company procedures.”

She said that at “no point did the aircraft lose cabin pressurisation and the cabin altitude remained within safe limits throughout the event”.

The incident was said to be under review as part of standard safety protocols.

“The issue was managed in accordance with established procedures and the aircraft continued to its destination. The flight landed safely at White Plains with all passengers and crew unharmed.

“The safety of our passengers and crew is always our primary consideration and the aircraft was considered safe for flight when it departed Bermuda.”