A Ryanair flight bound for a sunny holiday destination was forced into an unexpected return to Birmingham Airport last night after encountering severe turbulence that resulted in passenger injuries.
Mid-Air Emergency Forces Return
Flight FR1121, which departed from Birmingham Airport (BHX) for Tenerife on the evening of 28th December, made the decision to turn back approximately an hour and thirty-two minutes into its journey. The cause was significant air turbulence, which necessitated medical attention for several people on board.
The Boeing 737, carrying a total of 190 passengers, landed safely back at its departure point. Upon disembarkation, a small group of affected travellers received immediate medical assistance at the terminal.
Continuation of the Journey
Following the unscheduled stop and the provision of care, the aircraft was able to resume its flight to the Canary Islands. The remaining passengers continued their journey, eventually arriving at Tenerife South Airport at 21:06 local time, albeit significantly later than originally planned.
A spokesperson for Ryanair confirmed the sequence of events to BirminghamWorld, stating the aircraft "landed normally" before the process of assisting passengers began. They emphasised that only a "small number of passengers" required medical help following the turbulent episode.
Airport Response and Procedures
Birmingham Airport's team swiftly activated its standard protocols to support the airline and its customers upon the aircraft's return. A spokesperson for the airport said, "We were made aware of the aircraft returning to BHX and initiated the normal operating procedures to support Ryanair."
This incident highlights the unpredictable nature of clear-air turbulence, which can occur with little warning. While such events are rare, airlines and airports maintain strict procedures to ensure passenger welfare is prioritised when they do happen.
The focus now remains on the well-being of the injured passengers, with Ryanair likely to conduct a routine review of the incident. For other travellers, it serves as a reminder to always keep seatbelts fastened when seated, as advised by cabin crew.
