Aviation chiefs launch probe in row over safety procedures at Ryanair

Irish and Spanish aviation authorities have agreed to jointly investigate the diversion to Madrid of a Ryanair flight from Paris to Tenerife following a technical issue.

The decision came at a meeting of air safety experts in Dublin which followed a series of comments by Spanish authorities about incidents in Spanish airspace involving the budget airline.

Spanish authorities are investigating emergency landings by three Ryanair planes in Valencia on Jul 26 after they approached their minimum required fuel.

Ryanair said the landings were forced by bad weather and that it complies fully with EU safety procedures.

Spanish authorities are also looking into an incident in which a Ryanair flight diverted and landed at Barcelona’s El Prat airport after a possible engine fault was detected.

The investigation announced yesterday follows a diversion on Sunday. Ryanair said the flight from Paris to Tenerife was diverted to Madrid.

Ryanair has accused the Spanish aviation authorities of falsifying information on incidents involving its planes, an accusation Spanish officials have rejected.

“The Irish authorities gave an assurance of the Irish Aviation Authority’s rigorous oversight of Ryanair’s operations and on their satisfaction with Ryanair’s safety standards which are on a par with the safest airlines in Europe,” the Department of Transport said in a statement after the meeting.

— Reuters