Ryanair Manchester–Agadir flight diverted after exit door tampering

A Ryanair flight from Manchester to Agadir diverted back to Manchester Airport after a passenger allegedly tried to open an emergency exit door midflight. Fellow travelers and cabin crew intervened, the captain was kept near the exit as a precaution, and the passenger was escorted off the aircraft by Greater Manchester Police upon landing. After a routine inspection of the door and replacement of damaged components, the flight resumed its journey and is now en route again.

The aircraft departed from Manchester’s Terminal 3 just after 9:00 local time and lifted off around 9:20. About an hour into the flight, at roughly 10:09, the decision was made to return to Manchester. Eyewitness accounts described a tense moment as the passenger seated near the emergency exit attempted to tamper with the door, managing to remove a plastic covering before other passengers intervened and alerted cabin crew. The captain then remained stationed near the exit for the descent and landing, and the passenger was escorted off the plane by police after the safe arrival.

On the ground, engineers boarded the jet to assess the door and replace any affected components, including the plastic covers. The...