A Ryanair flight bound for Milan was forced to make an emergency landing in southern France on Sunday afternoon following a mid-air incident.
TOULOUSE, France – Flight FR4017, operated by a Boeing 737-800 (registration 9H-QEP), departed Porto (OPO) at 13:32 WEST. The aircraft had reached its initial cruising altitude of 34,000 feet while overflying Spain when the situation developed.
The Diversion
Roughly an hour into the flight, as the aircraft crossed into French airspace, the flight crew transmitted a Squawk 7700, the international radio code signaling a general emergency.
The aircraft began an immediate descent and diverted toward Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS). Flight tracking data indicates the Boeing 737 landed safely on Runway 32L at approximately 15:00 local time, roughly 90 minutes after its departure from Portugal.
Current Status
Upon landing, the aircraft was met by ground crews and taxied to a remote stand rather than a standard terminal gate. While the specific nature of the emergency has not yet been disclosed by the airline, Ryanair has officially confirmed the diversion.
Impact on Passengers
Ryanair is currently working to minimize disruption for the passengers on board. The airline has announced a rescheduled departure time from Toulouse for 19:00 local time, allowing for a replacement crew or technical inspection before continuing the journey to Milan.
