Ryanair flight from UK to Morocco ‘makes emergency landing in Portugal after pilot falls ill’
- According to a report, the pilot told passengers before landing that he was not feeling well
A Ryanair plane reportedly had to make an emergency landing in Portugal after the pilot fell ill.
The plane was en route from Britain to Morocco but landed at Faro airport in Portugal's Algarve this morning, according to local reports.
The pilot had told passengers before landing that he was not feeling well and the diversion triggered a 'red alert' at the airport, according to Portuguese daily Correio da Manha.
It was not immediately clear today whether the pilot had landed the plane or handed it over to his co-pilot, and whether he had remained on the plane or been taken to hospital after reaching Faro.
MailOnline has contacted Ryanair for comment.
It was not immediately clear today whether the pilot had landed the plane or handed it over to his co-pilot and whether he had remained in the plane or been taken to hospital after reaching Faro (Stock Image)
In April, a packed easyJet plane en route to Agadir in Morocco had to divert from London Gatwick to Faro.
Local reports at the time said the flight diversion was due to the pilot having an 'indistance', and that this led to an identical red alert being raised before the Airbus A320 had landed safely.
EasyJet said in a response at the time: 'easyJet can confirm that flight EZY6469 from London Gatwick to Agadir was diverted to Faro on April 21 due to the first officer requiring medical attention.
'The captain conducted a routine landing in accordance with standard operating procedures and the aircraft was met by medical services on arrival in Faro.
“A replacement crew was provided and the passengers have since continued their journey to Agadir. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the diversion and resulting delay.
'The safety and well-being of its passengers and crew is easyJet's highest priority.'