Flight from Spain to UK forced to make U-turn after co-pilot falls ill inflight

A RYANAIR flight from Spain to the UK had to return to the airport it had taken off from just 13 minutes earlier after the first officer became ill.

Flight FR654 to Glasgow returned safely to Tenerife South airport in Spain’s Canary Islands on Sunday where emergency services were on standby.

Air traffic controllers tweeted: “Flight from Tenerife South to Scotland returns in emergency due to medical problem of one of the pilots. Maximum priority.

“The route is cleared, medical attention is coordinated and the emergency protocol is activated.”

According to the airline the passengers disembarked the aircraft on landing and continued their journey ‘shortly afterwards’.

A spokesperson said: “This flight from Tenerife to Glasgow (7 April) returned to Tenerife Airport shortly after take-off after the first officer became ill inflight,” said a spokesperson for the airline.

“In line with procedures, the captain contacted ATC, the aircraft landed normally, and the first officer was met by medical personnel.

“Customers disembarked and departed to Glasgow shortly afterwards.”

The condition of the first officer is not known.

Vuelo de Tenerife Sur a Escocia regresa en emergencia por problema médico de uno de los pilotos. Máxima prioridad. Se despeja y recorta la ruta, se coordina atención médica y se activa el protocolo de emergencia. Aterriza sin incidencias. #TrabajoEnEquipo #SafetyFirst pic.twitter.com/CpNkwCeXwS

— 😉Controladores Aéreos 🇪🇸 (@controladores) April 7, 2019