Ryanair passengers faced disruption yesterday after a flight to Morocco was forced to return to Manchester Airport shortly after takeoff.
Flight RK 1266, bound for Agadir, turned sharply left just minutes after departure on Sunday afternoon.
The aircraft then circled in the sky before landing back at Manchester just after 5pm. Fire engines were dispatched to meet the plane as it touched down.
The airline later confirmed the unscheduled return was due to a "minor technical issue" with the aircraft.
The aircraft circled in the sky before landing back at Manchester just after 5pm
GETTYInstead of continuing to its destination, the aircraft performed nine laps above Wigan and St Helens.
The plane reached an altitude of just 4,625ft during its circling. This is significantly lower than the typical 37,000ft cruising altitude for this route.
Fire crews were sent to the runway as a precautionary measure when the aircraft returned.
The aircraft landed normally at Manchester Airport following its unexpected aerial detour. Passengers were able to disembark safely after the unplanned return to the departure airport.
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A spokesperson for Ryanair said: "This flight from Manchester to Agadir on Sunday, March 16, returned to Manchester shortly after take-off due to a minor technical issue.
"The aircraft landed normally at Manchester Airport and passengers disembarked."
The airline quickly arranged alternative travel for those affected.
"To minimise disruption to affected passengers, we quickly arranged for a replacement aircraft to operate this flight, which departed to Agadir at 7.05pm local time that same day," the spokesperson added.
Ryanair quickly arranged alternative travel for those affected
PAThe replacement flight departed approximately two hours after the original aircraft landed.
The incident comes amid several recent flight diversions due to passenger behaviour.
Earlier this month, a Wizz Air flight from Gatwick to Egypt's Hurghada resort was diverted to Athens.
Passenger Michael Hands described the scene as "absolute bedlam" after a woman began arguing with cabin crew.
