NewsUK NewsRyanairA Ryanair passenger said 'tensions were very high' when a flight from Faro to Exeter Airport was diverted to Birmingham, with the pilot issuing an onboard announcement10:05, 23 Jul 2026Updated 11:29, 23 Jul 2026A Ryanair flight to Exeter was forced to divert in a mid-air emergency after a "problem with the aircraft".‌The plane, which took off from Faro in Portugal, was bound for Exeter Airport but had to change course on Wednesday evening.‌Flight FR8030 was scheduled to land at 6.55pm at Exeter Airport but instead was diverted to Birmingham.‌Speaking to DevonLive, passenger Davina said the pilot "made an announcement we were landing in five minutes" before the plane ascended and circled a few times.Davina continued: "Then an announcement was made that due to a problem with the aircraft, we needed a longer runway and we were being diverted to Birmingham. The pilot and cabin crew were very professional and helpful, but tensions were very high".‌Flight tracking data suggests a 7700 alert was issued - a distress signal that communicates an emergency situation to air traffic controllers. Ryanair has confirmed that there was a "minor technical issue" which caused the diversion.The plane flew over Exeter, circled, then continued north to Birmingham where it landed. As the plane touched down, blue-light landing-precaution vehicles immediately followed.Normally a squawk code of 7700 is issued to warn air traffic control of an emergency on board. This gives priority to the aircraft to come into land and emergency services would be waiting for it on the ground.‌It is a general emergency code and so doesn't specify what the problem is on board. It is a "catch-all" for any emergency situation that isn't a hijacking (7500) or radio failure (7600).Pictures taken in Birmingham show crews on the runway inspecting the plane's wing, but the specific problem with the plane is not clear.Article continues belowRyanair organised coaches which picked up passengers from Birmingham and took them to Exeter Airport. In a statement to passengers, Ryanair said it was "forced to divert [the] flight to Birmingham".A Ryanair spokesperson told The Mirror: “This flight from Faro to Exeter (22 Jul) diverted to Birmingham due to a minor technical issue with the aircraft. The aircraft landed normally, passengers disembarked and the aircraft was inspected by our engineers."Passengers were kept up to date via email, SMS, and PUSH notifications. To get passengers to their final destination as quickly as possible, we arranged for alternative transport from Birmingham to Exeter Airport.”Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Ryanair