A Ryanair flight from Malaga to Leeds Bradford was forced to make an unscheduled landing at Bristol Airport after a passenger fell ill on board
Kirstie McCrum and Samuel Port
10:46, 14 May 2026
Ambulance crews at Bristol Airport after woman becomes ill(Image: Johnny O)
A Ryanair flight was forced to make an unscheduled landing after a passenger fell “ill” mid-journey.
The Leeds Bradford Airport-bound aircraft had set off from Malaga in Spain at 10.50pm yesterday evening, scheduled to touch down in Leeds at 12.50am on Wednesday morning. According to one traveller, the woman collapsed while the plane was over France, prompting a diversion to Bristol just 14 minutes afterwards.
Images have emerged showing ambulance personnel attending the aircraft at Bristol Airport. The same passenger reported the plane remained on the ground for roughly 90 minutes before departing once more at 12.45am, eventually reaching Leeds at approximately 2.30am.
The traveller, Johnny, praised Ryanair staff as ‘very professional’ though noted you could detect the “panic in their voices”. He described the ordeal as “tiring” for everyone aboard, reports Leeds Live.
Inside the grounded Ryanair plane(Image: Johnny O)
Recounting the incident, he explained: “It was a little worrying as the it was a night flight so very peaceful, so that was the last thing to expect. The staff were very professional, although you could hear the panic in their voices.”
“The lady was taken off the flight at Bristol and the flight then took off again to Leeds. Was pretty tiring by the time we arrived.”
A Ryanair spokesperson confirmed: “This flight from Malaga to Leeds Bradford (12 May) diverted to Bristol after a passenger became ill on board. Crew called ahead for medical assistance to meet the aircraft upon landing at Bristol Airport.
“The passenger was disembarked and transported to a nearby hospital for further treatment. This flight continued to Leeds Bradford at 12.45am local time.”
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