A Ryanair flight bound for Tenerife had to return to the UK after declaring a mid-air emergency. The Boeing 737 MAX departed from Birmingham Airport at approximately 2:50 pm and signaled a 7700 squawk over Brittany, France, upon reaching 35,000 feet, indicating a general emergency. Ryanair confirmed that flight FR1121 experienced “air turbulence.”
Passengers recounted to The Aviation Herald that the turbulence occurred during cabin service, resulting in injuries to several individuals. The aircraft made a U-turn and descended to 10,000 feet.
After departing, the plane safely landed back at Birmingham Airport about one hour and 32 minutes later. AirLive mentioned that the aircraft was directed to a remote stand for medical personnel to assist passengers.
The severity of the passengers’ injuries is currently unknown. Ryanair informed the Mirror on Sunday night that “FR1121 from Birmingham to Tenerife on December 28 returned to Birmingham Airport shortly after takeoff due to air turbulence. The plane landed without incident, and after passengers disembarked and received medical attention, the flight resumed to Tenerife at 21:06 local time.”
This incident follows a situation where a United Airlines flight had to divert to Edinburgh on December 4 due to an onboard emergency. The flight, en route to San Francisco, departed from London at 2:05 pm, issued a 7700 squawk, and landed in Edinburgh around 4:40 pm after heading north across the North Atlantic before turning back.
United Airlines informed the Mirror that the diversion was prompted by a burning smell, and they arranged hotel accommodations and alternative flights for the 162 passengers on board.