Ryanair has denied its pilots are under pressure to restrict the amount of fuel they carry after three of its aircraft made emergency landings in Spain last month.
The flights were diverted from Madrid to Valencia due to thunderstorms on July 26 and requested to hold, but subsequently each of the pilots requested to land immediately to prevent using up reserve fuel supplies. Each of the aircraft had already been holding for around an hour.
Spain’s aviation authorities have launched an investigation and the Irish Airline Pilots Association has accused Ryanair of making pilots uncomfortable about taking extra fuel onboard.
Ryanair has insisted that each aircraft landed with an additional 30 minutes of fuel and the airline rejected IALPA’s claims, saying it would not put fuel before safety.
"All Ryanair flights operate with the required levels of fuel," it said. "This includes fuel for re-routings, diversions and unforeseen events."
