MANCHESTER- Ryanair (FR) operated the Boeing 737-800 involved in the serious incident, with the aircraft landing at Manchester Airport (MAN) after multiple weather-related diversions. The aircraft carried 171 passengers and six crew members. The aircraft was operated by Malta Air (MW).
The flight departed Pisa International Airport (PSA) for Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) on 3 October 2025. Severe weather, repeated wind shear events and a failed diversion request resulted in the aircraft landing at Manchester with 363kg of fuel, significantly below its 1,100kg final reserve.
Ryanair Flight Declares Fuel Emergency
The Boeing 737-800 was scheduled to fly from Pisa to Prestwick during Storm Amy, when significant winds had been forecast. The crew had taken additional fuel to allow for potential delays and diversions caused by the weather.
During the approach to Prestwick, the aircraft encountered two wind shear events. The crew carried out wind shear escape manoeuvres that transitioned into go-arounds, preventing the aircraft from completing its landing.
After the second unsuccessful approach, the crew requested a diversion to Manchester Airport. The request was not accepted, so the aircraft instead diverted toward Edinburgh Airport.
Third Wind Shear Event Triggered Mayday Call
The aircraft encountered another wind shear event while approaching Edinburgh. Following the additional wind shear escape manoeuvre, the crew declared a fuel emergency and redirected the aircraft toward Manchester.
The pilots transmitted a Mayday fuel call as the remaining fuel became critically low. The AAIB investigation found that the aircraft landed at Manchester with fuel significantly below the required final reserve.
The aircraft landed safely at Manchester Airport at 19:13 GMT with 363kg of fuel remaining. The final reserve requirement was 1,100kg, meaning the aircraft arrived with only around one-third of that reserve quantity.
Investigation Identified Communication Breakdown
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch found that the initial refusal of the diversion request appeared to result from a breakdown in communication within Manchester Airport.
Manchester Airport subsequently reiterated its policy that diversion requests should be accepted when the airport has the capacity to receive the aircraft. The airport also clarified that the decision to accept a diversion does not rest with the handling agent.
Following the incident, Manchester Airport reviewed the circumstances and reinforced its procedures for managing diversion requests, BBC News reported.
Why Wind Shear Creates a Major Aviation Challenge
Wind shear describes a rapid change in wind speed or direction over a relatively short distance. It can create sudden changes in an aircraft’s airspeed, flight path, and performance, particularly during takeoff and landing.
For an aircraft on final approach, wind shear can require the pilots to abandon a landing and perform a go-around. Multiple go-arounds can significantly increase fuel consumption, especially when severe weather also forces the crew to consider alternative airports.
In this case, repeated wind shear events at Prestwick and Edinburgh increased the operational pressure on the flight while the aircraft continued to consume fuel during additional approaches and diversions.
Fuel Reserves and the Final Landing
Commercial aircraft carry planned fuel reserves to provide additional protection against delays, diversions and other operational requirements. The AAIB report specifically classified the incident as a Boeing 737-800 landing below final reserve fuel at Manchester Airport.
The 363kg remaining on landing was substantially below the aircraft’s 1,100kg final reserve. The investigation noted that another go-around was unlikely to have been possible with sufficient fuel available.
The successful landing at Manchester therefore ended a sequence involving severe weather, multiple wind shear events, unsuccessful approaches and diversions.
Manchester Airport Strengthened Diversion Procedures
The incident highlighted the importance of clear communication between aircraft crews, air traffic services, airport operations and other parties involved in diversion decisions.
Manchester Airport said it reinforced its procedures after reviewing the circumstances. The AAIB report also records the airport’s position that diversion requests should be accepted when capacity is available and that handling agents should not make the final decision on acceptance.
The investigation provides a factual account of how weather conditions and operational communication combined to create a serious fuel-management situation without resulting in injuries or an accident.
Flight and Airport Details
- Airline: Ryanair (FR)
- Aircraft operator: Malta Air (MW)
- Aircraft type: Boeing 737-800
- Aircraft registration: 9H-QBD
- Passengers: 171
- Crew: 6
- Original route: Pisa International Airport (PSA) to Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK)
- Diversion sequence: Prestwick (PIK) to Edinburgh (EDI), then Manchester (MAN)
- Landing time: 19:13 GMT
- Fuel remaining: 363kg
- Final reserve fuel: 1,100kg
- Incident date: 3 October 2025
The AAIB published its investigation report on 24 September 2026 and classified the occurrence as a commercial fixed-wing field investigation involving a Boeing 737-800.
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