MANCHESTER— A Ryanair (FR) flight to Agadir (AGA) was forced to return shortly after takeoff when a passenger allegedly attempted to open an emergency exit mid-air on August 25, 2025.
The incident led to an unscheduled landing back at Manchester Airport (MAN), where Greater Manchester Police (GMP) arrested the passenger. The aircraft was inspected by engineers before continuing its journey.
Photo: By kitmasterbloke – https://www.flickr.com/photos/58415659@N00/51752028899/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=114422105Ryanair Passenger Arrested at Manchester
Ryanair flight RK1266 took off from Manchester Airport’s Terminal 3 at around 9:20 a.m. on August 25, bound for Agadir-Al Massira Airport (AGA) in Morocco. Shortly after departure, a passenger reportedly tried to tamper with an emergency exit.
According to accounts from onboard, fellow passengers intervened and notified the cabin crew. The individual was moved from the emergency exit seat, and the captain positioned himself near the door for the remainder of the return flight.
The Boeing 737-800 diverted back to Manchester, landing safely at 10:09 a.m., after spending just over an hour in the air. Greater Manchester Police confirmed that a woman was taken into custody upon landing.
Photo: Ryanair, EI-DCW, Boeing 737-8AS | Anna Zvereva | FlickrPolice Response and Safety Measures
Law enforcement boarded the aircraft immediately after landing. Officers escorted the passenger off the plane without further incident.
Authorities have not yet released additional details about the individual involved or potential charges.
Following the removal of the passenger, Ryanair engineers conducted safety checks on the emergency door. Witnesses reported that some plastic covers were replaced before the aircraft was cleared for departure again.
Attempts to interfere with aircraft safety systems, including emergency exits, are treated as serious aviation security threats.
Although emergency exits cannot be opened at cruising altitude due to cabin pressure, attempts to tamper with them pose risks and often result in diversions, arrests, and possible criminal charges.
Incidents of disruptive passengers have been a growing challenge for airlines globally, with carriers emphasizing strict adherence to safety regulations and zero tolerance policies for interference with crew or aircraft systems.
Photo: Aero Icarus | FlickrSimilar Incident
A Southwest Airlines (WN) passenger was indicted after allegedly assaulting crew members and trying to open an emergency exit during flight WN3239 from Nashville (BNA) to Phoenix (PHX).
The aircraft diverted to Oklahoma City (OKC) on May 22, 2025, where 30-year-old passenger Jendaya Kashar Brennan was taken into federal custody following the in-flight disturbance.
Emergency Diversion After Midair Threat
Federal court documents from the Western District of Oklahoma detail how Brennan attempted to forcibly open the emergency exit of flight WN3239 while the Boeing 737 was cruising at 32,000 feet.
Shortly after departure from Nashville International Airport (BNA), Brennan allegedly told crew members she intended to exit the aircraft midair.
Flight attendants in the rear galley intervened, standing in front of the exit door and repeatedly instructing her to return to her seat.
According to the filings, Brennan ignored their commands, lunged toward the door, and began pulling on the handle while shouting in both English and Spanish.
The situation escalated when Brennan became physically aggressive, resisting crew efforts to control her. Witnesses reported she kicked, spat, and grabbed a flight attendant’s neck lanyard in an attempt to pull her to the floor.
Four flight attendants, assisted by two retired correctional officers traveling as passengers, eventually restrained her using handcuffs. Despite being secured, she allegedly continued to struggle and managed to slip out of one set of restraints.
Cockpit Decision and Diversion
A flight attendant alerted the cockpit of the disturbance. After assessing the threat, the pilots decided to divert the flight to Will Rogers World Airport (OKC). Law enforcement officers boarded the aircraft immediately after landing and placed Brennan under arrest.
According to the FBI, Brennan admitted after being read her Miranda Rights that she assaulted the crew because they prevented her from opening the door.
Brennan has been charged with interference with flight crew members, a federal offense that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. She remains in federal detention in Oklahoma pending further court proceedings under the case title United States of America v. Brennan.
Southwest Airlines (WN), headquartered in Dallas, has not issued a public statement but is cooperating with investigators.
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