The flight was heading for Portugal before transmitting a ‘general emergency’ signal over France
Husna Anjum Senior Reporter
08:59, 13 Apr 2026
The flight was forced to turn back (file photo)(Image: Reinhard Krull via Getty Images)
A Ryanair flight was forced to divert back following a mid-air emergency. Flight FR5552 took off at 6.21am on Sunday (April 12) for Faro, Portugal and had reached cruising altitude of 37,000 feet when the crew discovered a technical issue.
The Boeing 737-800 was passing over Brittany, France, when the pilots transmitted a Squawk 7700, the international signal for a general emergency, and began immediately descending. Rather than returning to Stansted just 45 minutes after take-off, the flight diverted to Bournemouth Airport in South West UK, the Express reports.
The aircraft performed a sharp turn back toward the English coast flight tracking data showed. It landed safely just over an hour after taking off.
Emergency services are usually on standby for similar incidents but this has not been reported for this incident. Air Live reports, citing an unnamed source, that the diversion was due to a medical emergency, and the flight made the onward journey to Portugal.
Squawk 7700 is the universal transponder code used by pilots to immediately alert Air Traffic Control (ATC) of a general emergency. It indicates the aircraft requires priority handling, special attention, or assistance, such as for an emergency landing, due to issues like engine failure, medical emergencies, or technical faults.
A 7700 code is often used as a precautionary measure to ensure emergency services are ready upon landing, even if the situation is not immediately life-threatening.
Ryanair has been approached for comment.
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