Ryanair Flight Lands with Six Minutes of Fuel During Storm

A Ryanair flight narrowly avoided disaster, landing at Manchester Airport with just six minutes of fuel remaining after diverting from Scotland during severe weather conditions on October 3, 2025. The Boeing 737-800, operating as Flight FR3418 and managed by Malta Air, faced significant challenges due to wind gusts reaching up to 100 miles per hour.

The flight originated from Pisa, Italy, and was scheduled to arrive at Glasgow Prestwick International Airport. However, after multiple unsuccessful landing attempts at both Prestwick and Edinburgh Airport, the crew made the critical decision to divert to Manchester. With fuel reserves depleting rapidly, the aircraft landed safely at 20:51 local time, having just 220 kilograms of fuel left in its tanks.

Flight Details and Emergency Response

Flight FR3418 departed Pisa later than planned, taking off more than an hour behind schedule. As the aircraft approached Prestwick, amber wind warnings were issued, indicating hazardous conditions. According to data from FlightRadar24, the plane circled over Prestwick before attempting two landings, both of which were unsuccessful due to the inclement weather.

Following its diversion, the flight then attempted to land at Edinburgh Airport, but conditions there worsened as well. The pilots issued an emergency call as the aircraft approached Manchester, where milder weather conditions allowed for a safe landing. The remaining fuel was barely sufficient for a go-around, raising serious concerns about the flight’s safety protocols.

According to The Aviation Herald, the aircraft had approximately 220 kilograms of fuel on board at landing, with 100 kilograms in the left tank and 120 kilograms in the right. This fuel capacity equated to only five or six minutes of flying time, highlighting the critical situation faced by the crew.

Passenger Reactions and Aftermath

Passengers aboard the flight experienced a harrowing ordeal, with three aborted landing attempts contributing to heightened anxiety. Scheduled to land in Glasgow at 19:00, the flight spent nearly two additional hours in the air before reaching Manchester. Many passengers expressed their distress during the turbulence, yet they remained unaware of how close they were to fuel exhaustion until after landing. One passenger recounted the experience to the Ayr Advertiser, describing how the turbulence caused the aircraft to “buffet around a lot” and how they only realized the severity of the situation later.

After landing almost two hours late, passengers were transported by bus to Prestwick Airport, arriving ten hours later than originally scheduled. Other flights, including another Ryanair service from Malaga, also struggled to land at Prestwick that evening, diverting to various alternative airports, including London Stansted.

Investigation Launched by Aviation Authorities

The UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has confirmed that it is conducting an investigation into this serious incident. The airplane landed with fuel levels significantly below the mandated reserves. Pilots are required to maintain enough fuel to fly for an additional 30 minutes at an altitude of 1,500 feet upon landing, and any aircraft falling below this threshold must declare a fuel emergency.

A pilot involved in the incident described it as “as close to a fatal accident as possible,” emphasizing the critical nature of the situation. The aircraft in question, registered as 9H-QBD, is a ten-year-old Boeing 737-800 configured to carry up to 189 passengers in an all-economy layout.

As the investigation proceeds, Ryanair has stated that they are fully cooperating with the authorities but have refrained from providing further comments due to the ongoing inquiry. The incident raises important questions about operational protocols during adverse weather conditions and the management of fuel reserves in commercial aviation.