Tim McNulty
AIRSPACE around Malaga airport had to temporarily close as a medical emergency sparked chaos for British travellers.
At least one flight from the UK was diverted after Malaga air traffic control closed the airspace at short notice.
This action was reportedly taken in response to an emergency request to land by an intensive care air ambulance flight.
The Ryanair flight from Glasgow Prestwick airport to Malaga had already begun its descent when it was advised by traffic controllers that it would not be able to land.
Passengers were then told the plane had to divert to Granada.
Once on the ground, however, the flight learnt that Malaga airport had reopened causing travellers to label the delay an ‘over-reaction.’
“They (Malaga air traffic control) must have just panicked,” one stranded holidaymaker told the Olive Press.
The unscheduled layover lasted almost two hours as the plane refuelled before eventually completing the ten-minute flight on to Malaga.
Air ambulance flights carry out urgent intensive care transport and medical repatriations with a number of companies offering the service out of the Costa del Sol.
In a statement issued to impacted passengers, Ryanair said: “We are committed to providing on time services for all passengers.
“But exceptionally there are situations outside of our control that affect our flight operation.”
I’d have thought labelling this “chaos” simply to grab a headline was overstating it a tad. There was a delay. They happen all the time. Not exactly headline news is it.