UK flight compelled to land after girl ‘collapses’ as emergency providers flood runway
The Ryanair flight from Malaga was flying over France when a passenger medical emergency forced the Bristol Airport diversion. Emergency services were waiting on the runway tarmac
The plane was forced to land at Bristol are a woman became ill(Image: Johnny O)
A Leeds Bradford Airport flight was forced to make an emergency landing after a woman became “ill”.
The Ryanair aircraft had taken off from Malaga, in Spain, at 10.50pm last night, and was scheduled to touch down in Leeds at 12.50am today, on Wednesday, May 13. A passenger has stated the woman collapsed while on board as it flew over France, forcing it to divert to Bristol 14 minutes later.
Images have been posted showing ambulance teams outside the aircraft at Bristol Airport. The passenger revealed the flight was delayed on the ground for approximately 90 minutes before departing again at 12.45am. It touched down in Leeds at roughly 2.30am.
The passenger, Johnny, noted that Ryanair crew were ‘very professional’ but you could detect the “panic in their voices”. He described the ordeal as “tiring” for everyone aboard the flight.
Discussing the incident, he explained: “It was a little worrying as the it was a night flight so very peaceful, so that was the last thing to expect. The staff were very professional, although you could hear the panic in their voices.”, reports Leeds Live.
“The lady was taken off the flight at Bristol and the flight then took off again to Leeds. Was pretty tiring by the time we arrived.”
A Ryanair spokesperson commented: “This flight from Malaga to Leeds Bradford (12 May) diverted to Bristol after a passenger became ill on board. Crew called ahead for medical assistance to meet the aircraft upon landing at Bristol Airport.
“The passenger was disembarked and transported to a nearby hospital for further treatment. This flight continued to Leeds Bradford at 12.45am local time.”
Meanwhile, airlines have been compelled to axe flights during the May half-term as jet fuel costs spiral out of control.
Jet fuel prices have soared due to the Middle East conflict, with the crisis intensified by Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% of the world’s oil and gas passes, triggering a worldwide shortage. In an attempt to cut costs and cope with rocketing jet fuel prices, airlines have scrapped flights during one of the peak travel periods.
To date, airlines have axed 13,000 worldwide flights from May timetables, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium. Of these, carriers have already slashed 1,468 flights from the UK’s largest airports, with smaller UK airports also feeling the impact.
London Heathrow has witnessed a shocking 846 flights cancelled for May, affecting 151,198 seats, while Birmingham has trimmed its schedule by 200 flights and 21,880 seats. Currently, 410 routes have been hit across some of the UK’s major airports, with Glasgow also forced to scrap 86 flights so far in May and Manchester 60.
Following worries about the long-term availability of jet fuel, which could spark cancellations throughout summer, these are the airlines that have cut routes during the May half-term, with some lasting until winter.
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