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26/08/2008
Ryanair Flight Diverted As Cabin Pressure Lost
A Ryanair flight has been forced from the sky after a dramatic loss of cabin pressure.
Sixteen passengers were receiving medical treatment for earache in France after flight FR9336 from Bristol made its unscheduled landing.
The aircraft was diverted to Limoges in central France.
Ryanair has said it has sent an engineer to establish what happened.
In a statement posted on its website, Ryanair said the loss of pressure "caused the oxygen masks on board to deploy".
"All 168 passengers disembarked safely upon landing.
"A total of 16 passengers together with five accompanying family members have been transferred, at their request, to a local hospital complaining of earache."
Ryanair's Chief Executive Michael O'Leary has denied reports by passengers that their oxygen masks had not been working.
"The oxygen masks were working, the correct safety procedures were followed."
It is reported that passengers had also complained that they were not told immediately why the aircraft was descending so quickly.
Arctic explorer Pen Hadow, who was on the flight with his family said: "There was no physical presence (from Ryanair) and absolutely no sense of any sort of frontline communication with us.
"Some people thought we were going to die - that is how frightening it was."
However, Mr O'Leary said passengers had been told immediately why the aircraft was descending so quickly.
"The pilot did make an announcement once he got down to 8,000ft, when it's safe to take oxygen masks off."
Police said the jet came down 8,000m in five minutes and an initial inspection of the plane had not revealed any causes for the depressurisation.
The airline said a replacement aircraft had been flown to Stansted Airport to Limoges and had taken the remaining passengers to Barcelona.
The remaining passengers were expected to continue on to Girona later today.
It has also emerged that a second air incident took place, with a Ryanair flight from Liverpool to Sardinia diverted to Stansted following a 'technical problem'.
Passengers were transferred to a replacement aircraft.
(DS)
Sixteen passengers were receiving medical treatment for earache in France after flight FR9336 from Bristol made its unscheduled landing.
The aircraft was diverted to Limoges in central France.
Ryanair has said it has sent an engineer to establish what happened.
In a statement posted on its website, Ryanair said the loss of pressure "caused the oxygen masks on board to deploy".
"All 168 passengers disembarked safely upon landing.
"A total of 16 passengers together with five accompanying family members have been transferred, at their request, to a local hospital complaining of earache."
Ryanair's Chief Executive Michael O'Leary has denied reports by passengers that their oxygen masks had not been working.
"The oxygen masks were working, the correct safety procedures were followed."
It is reported that passengers had also complained that they were not told immediately why the aircraft was descending so quickly.
Arctic explorer Pen Hadow, who was on the flight with his family said: "There was no physical presence (from Ryanair) and absolutely no sense of any sort of frontline communication with us.
"Some people thought we were going to die - that is how frightening it was."
However, Mr O'Leary said passengers had been told immediately why the aircraft was descending so quickly.
"The pilot did make an announcement once he got down to 8,000ft, when it's safe to take oxygen masks off."
Police said the jet came down 8,000m in five minutes and an initial inspection of the plane had not revealed any causes for the depressurisation.
The airline said a replacement aircraft had been flown to Stansted Airport to Limoges and had taken the remaining passengers to Barcelona.
The remaining passengers were expected to continue on to Girona later today.
It has also emerged that a second air incident took place, with a Ryanair flight from Liverpool to Sardinia diverted to Stansted following a 'technical problem'.
Passengers were transferred to a replacement aircraft.
(DS)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
