A Ryanair flight, FR555, originally scheduled to fly from Manchester to Dublin, was forced to divert to Paris Beauvais-Tillé Airport (BVA) due to severe weather conditions. The flight, which was scheduled to depart from Manchester Airport at 13:25 GMT on Sunday, 21 January 2024, eventually took off at 15:00 GMT, significantly later than planned. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft was put on hold at 8,000ft by Air Traffic Control (ATC) at 15:40 due to strong winds caused by storm Isha. The wind was gusting over 42 knots, making it impossible for many flights to land in Dublin.
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After spending 30 minutes in a holding pattern, the crew attempted to land at 16:18, but the attempt was unsuccessful due to the worsening weather conditions. Manchester Airport was also experiencing gusts over 30 knots by that time, making it an unsuitable alternative.
With other UK airports dealing with diversions and busy weekend slots, the pilots were left with no choice but to divert to Paris BVA. The flight was operated by a Boeing 737-800 (reg. EI-DHX), which departed Paris BVA at 23:30 local time.
This incident underscores the unpredictable nature of air travel and the challenges faced by airlines and passengers alike when dealing with severe weather conditions. It also highlights the importance of safety in aviation, with the crew making the difficult decision to divert the flight to ensure the well-being of all on board.