Ryanair ‘Mayday’ Fuel Landing to be Investigated by Spanish Regulators

Ryanair

Ryanair is being investigated by Spain’s Public Works Ministry for three emergency landings in Valencia, Spain after the Irish carrier’s aircraft ran low on fuel while being kept in a holding pattern.

The ministry’s State Air Safety Agency will be investigating whether the Irish airline’s flights were carrying enough jet fuel. Ryanair released a statement on Tuesday saying that its flights always operate with the fuel levels required by European authorities.

Thunderstorms on July 26th over Madrid, Spain (where the 3 flights were due to land) caused delays and subsequent holding patterns for many flights that day. Once the planes ran low on fuel, they then had to issue mayday calls to Valencia Airport and land right away.

But it was only the Irish firm’s planes that had to call mayday emergencies given that they were running low on fuel. Two of the planes refueled at the airport before returning to Madrid, while the passengers on the third plane were taken to the Spanish capital on buses given that the Ryanair crew had exceeded their permitted working hours.

The consumer association Ceaccu says that if irregularities are found at Ryanair, the company will face the suspension of its operating license for up to three years. What’s more, it could be fined 4.5 million Euros.

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