A Ryanair flight bound for Tenerife South was forced to make an emergency return to Birmingham Airport on Sunday afternoon following a medical incident on board.
Flight FR1121, operated by a Boeing 737-800 with a capacity of 189 passengers, took off from Birmingham at 3:35pm. However, just 74 minutes into the journey, the crew declared a medical emergency, prompting the aircraft to turn back before even crossing the English Channel.
According to flight tracking service FlightRadar24, the plane made it only as far as the Channel before beginning its return to the UK. Emergency services were waiting on the runway at Birmingham, ready to assist upon landing, in line with established protocols for unplanned landings.
A spokesperson for Birmingham Airport confirmed the incident, stating: “Due to a medical emergency on board, an aircraft returned shortly after take-off. Our fire service responded as a precaution in accordance with standard procedures.”
The flight, originally scheduled to last four hours and 23 minutes, was rescheduled to depart later that evening after 8:00pm. Passengers eventually arrived in Tenerife early Monday morning, with only a few hours of delay.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of onboard safety procedures and the rapid response protocols in place for international flights such as those connecting the UK and the Canary Islands.
