Ryanair: Glasgow Prestwick flight diverts to Manchester Airport after 'almost running out of fuel'

An investigation has been launched into the incident involving a Malta Air flight, operating on behalf of Ryanair, that was was en-route from Pisa, Italy, to Prestwick Airport in Glasgow earlier this month.

On October 3, the aircraft had to make an emergency landing in Manchester after the cockpit crew issued a 7700 squawk code. This is the universal signal for a general emergency.

The plane had failed to land at Prestwick before attempting to touch down in Edinburgh, again without success. Nearly two hours later, it safely touched down in Manchester.

Upon landing, the aircraft had just 220kg of fuel remaining in its tank. According to reports, this was sufficient for merely five or six minutes of flight time.

Passenger Alexander Marchi told The Ayr Advertiser: "After leaving late from Pisa because of a general strike and protesters invading the tarmac at the airport, we were worried that we wouldn't get to Prestwick before the storm hit.

"Everything was fine until we started our descent. The plane was circling a few times before trying the first time, but pulling up almost immediately.

"We realised how bad things had been after seeing the images after finally landing at Manchester with almost no fuel. There was a lot of relief.

"People were wanting to get off and definitely were not up for flying any time soon. "

Passengers board bus in Manchester to South Ayrshire

When the flight landed in Manchester, passengers on board eventually reached South Ayrshire via bus ten hours late.

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A Ryanair spokesman said: "Ryanair reported this to the relevant authorities on Friday, October 3. As this is now subject of an ongoing investigation, which we are co-operating fully with, we are unable to comment."