A Ryanair flight was diverted back to Manchester Airport after a passenger allegedly attempted to open an emergency exit mid-air. The incident occurred on August 25, as the aircraft was en route to Agadir in Morocco. Witnesses reported that fellow passengers intervened and alerted the cabin crew, who then informed the flight's captain.

The passenger was removed from the emergency exit seat, and the captain remained by the exit until the plane landed safely back at Manchester Airport around 10.09am, approximately an hour after take-off. Greater Manchester Police escorted the woman off the aircraft following the incident.

According to a passenger on board, the individual managed to remove the plastic covering of the emergency exit but was unsuccessful in opening the door. The passenger stated, "The Ryanair flight RK1266 [from Manchester] for Agadir in Morocco [was] diverted back to Manchester Airport due to a passenger attempting to open the emergency exit. However, she was only able to get the plastic covering off and as a result was unsuccessful, as other passengers stopped her and made cabin crew aware of the situation at 9.30am."

After the plane landed, engineers were called in to inspect the emergency exit and replace the plastic covers. The flight had initially departed from Manchester's terminal three just after 9am and took off around 9.20am. After spending one hour and seven minutes in the air, it returned to Manchester.

The flight, designated RUK1266, resumed its journey at 11.22am and is currently flying over northern Spain, approximately one and a half hours into its nearly four-hour trip to Al-Massira International Airport in Morocco. Ryanair, Manchester Airport, and Greater Manchester Police have been contacted for further comments regarding the incident.