Malta Air 737 landed with critically-low fuel after airport erroneously rejected diversion

Ryanair Group’s Boeing 737-800 experienced a perilous landing at Manchester Airport following an erroneous rejection of its diversion request during severe Scottish weather conditions. UK investigators have concluded that the aircraft touched down with only 363 kilograms of remaining fuel, representing a critically low reserve. Initially, Manchester Airport refused to accept the flight as it aborted approaches. The incident highlights a significant operational concern regarding communication and decision-making processes within air traffic control. This event underscores the importance of robust procedures for handling diversions and ensuring adequate safety margins in challenging meteorological environments.