Ryanair Flight Declares Mayday, Lands With Just Few Minutes of Fuel Left After Storm Diversions

A Ryanair flight operating from Pisa, Italy to Glasgow Prestwick Airport triggered a serious aviation safety investigation after landing in Manchester with only 220 kilograms of fuel remaining, a quantity sufficient for approximately five to six minutes of flight time under normal conditions.

The incident occurred on October 3, 2025, as Storm Amy swept across the United Kingdom, unleashing wind gusts of up to 100 mph and causing widespread disruption to air and ground transport. Ryanair Flight FR3418, a Boeing 737-800 registered as 9H-QBD, initially attempted to land at Prestwick but was forced to abort due to severe crosswinds and poor visibility.

The aircraft then diverted to Edinburgh Airport, where a second landing attempt also failed. With fuel reserves rapidly depleting, the crew opted for a final diversion to Manchester Airport, successfully landing on the fourth attempt. By the time the aircraft touched down, fuel levels had dropped to a critically low state, prompting an emergency declaration.

Under European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulations, commercial aircraft must carry fuel sufficient for the planned route, plus reserves for holding, diversions, and unforeseen delays. A declaration of “minimum fuel” indicates that the aircraft can no longer accept additional delays and a “Mayday” declaration signals imminent fuel exhaustion and prioritizes the aircraft for immediate landing.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has launched a formal inquiry into the incident, classifying it as a “serious occurrence” due to the dangerously low fuel state. Ryanair has confirmed its cooperation with the investigation but declined further comment, citing the ongoing nature of the review.