Much to the obvious delight of the national press Ryanair passengers on a flight from Bristol to Lanzarote last week were forced to make an unscheduled landing on the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura.  As the stormy weather that has been battering the Canary Islands recently forced their pilot to divert from their scheduled landing slot at Arrecife airport on Lanzarote.

Over 100 tourists were then forced to make their own onward travel arrangements from Puerto Rosario airport on Fuerteventura to Lanzarote.  With Ryanair allegedly offering little in the way of assistance or apology.

According to Ryanair; ‘Ryanair flight FR 4755, Bristol to Lanzarote, diverted to Fuerteventura due to bad weather in Lanzarote.  Unfortunately ferries were also affected by these high winds so passengers were provided with EU261 information which outlines their entitlement to provide receipted hotel expenses to Ryanair, for refund.
‘Ryanair arranged that the ferry company would carry affected Ryanair passengers to Lanzarote free of charge when ferries recommenced the following morning. Ryanair apologises to passengers for any inconvenience caused by this weather related diversion but can never put passenger convenience before passenger safety.”

Predictabtly Ryanmair has been hung out to dry by the media in the UK.  Yet no mention is made of the fact that these extreme weather conditons caused the diversion of other flights.  Nor the fact that Ryanair happily carry upwards of 40,000 passengers a month to the island without incident.