A Ryanair flight is under investigation after landing at Manchester Airport with just 220 kilograms of fuel left — enough for only a few minutes of flight. The near-miss incident occurred on 3 October 2025 during Storm Amy’s violent impact across the United Kingdom.
Flight Faced Multiple Landing Attempts
The aircraft was forced to abort three landings due to 100 mph winds before finally touching down safely. However, when it landed, the fuel was far below the mandatory minimum required for safe operations, raising serious safety concerns.
Regulations on Minimum Fuel Reserves
According to aviation safety rules, aircraft must carry enough fuel to reach the destination, divert to an alternate airport if needed, and hold for at least thirty minutes. Landing with such a small reserve is a direct breach of these regulations.
Investigation Underway by Authorities
The UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has launched a formal inquiry to determine how the aircraft reached such a critically low fuel level. Ryanair voluntarily reported the incident and confirmed it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
Weather or Planning Error?
While severe weather was a major factor, experts question whether Ryanair’s operational planning accounted adequately for the storm’s intensity. The airline has declined further comment until the inquiry concludes.
Safety and Accountability in Focus
This incident highlights the narrow margin for error in modern aviation, especially under tight cost and scheduling pressures. Passengers expect full compliance with safety standards, regardless of weather or operational challenges. The investigation’s findings will reveal whether this was an unavoidable emergency or a preventable lapse.
