Edinburgh passenger tells of 'terrifying' Ryanair flight forced to make unexpected U-turn

An Edinburgh woman has spoken of the terror she felt as her flight made an unexpected U-turn on Sunday.

A Ryanair flight took off from Tenerife Airport at 8.45pm on Sunday, May 19, but just half an hour later, it made its way back to the island.

One passenger on the flight spoke to Edinburgh Live and praised the staff who warned them they may have to make an emergency landing in the sea. Air Traffic Control reported that they had been alerted to 'possible smoke in the cabin' from the crew.

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The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: "Half an hour after we took off, the seatbelt sign went back on and I saw the air hostess running up the aisle with a metal box.

"Someone had a portable battery, one of those lithium ones, and it had gotten hot and was smoking. I think the battery was in that box.

"The passengers began to panic, it was just awful. But the staff were brilliant. The pilot came out and warned us we might have to make an emergency landing in the sea. He told us to prepare to brace and put on warm clothes. We were shown where our life jackets were and were told that we might have to exit on the yellow shoots.

"Luckily we didn't have to and we made it back to Tenerife Airport but I was holding onto my daughter. It was terrifying!

"Once we landed the fire brigade was there and came on board."

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She added: "You just feel so helpless when you're up in the sky. You never think that sort of thing will ever happen to you.

"That was my first time flying with Ryanair and the staff and cabin crew were fantastic, they were really great, kept calm, and helped calm down other passengers too."

Air Traffic Control Spain posted on X that the cabin crew warned them of 'possible smoke in the cabin' and the aircraft had to make an emergency return to Tenerife.

They said they moved other air traffic out of the way to ensure the flight could land back quickly and safely.

A spokesperson from Ryanair said: “This flight from Tenerife to Edinburgh (19 May) returned to Tenerife Airport shortly after take-off due to a minor technical issue. The aircraft was inspected by engineers and was cleared to return to service before departing for Edinburgh later that same day.”