Emergency landing in Budapest: Ryanair flight to Sofia returns shortly after takeoff due to technical issue

Emergency Landing in Budapest: Ryanair Flight to Sofia Returns Shortly After Takeoff Due to Technical Issue

A Ryanair flight bound for Sofia was forced to make an emergency landing at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport shortly after takeoff due to a technical issue, according to officials. The incident occurred on the morning of May 15, 2025, and involved Ryanair flight FR7324, operated by a Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

Sudden Turnback After Departure

The aircraft departed from Budapest around 7:20 AM local time and was en route to Sofia, Bulgaria, when pilots reported an issue that required the flight to turn back. According to Flightradar24 data, the plane reached an altitude of approximately 8,000 feet before initiating a wide loop and heading back toward Budapest.

Eyewitnesses and passengers described a tense atmosphere onboard. “We felt a strange noise and slight vibrations just a few minutes after takeoff,” said Anna Petrov, a passenger traveling to Sofia for business. “Then the captain made an announcement saying there was a technical fault and that we would be returning to Budapest as a precaution.”

Smooth Emergency Landing

The aircraft landed safely at Budapest Airport approximately 30 minutes after takeoff. Emergency services, including fire trucks and ambulances, were on standby as part of standard procedure but were not required to intervene. No injuries were reported among the 180 passengers and crew onboard.

A Ryanair spokesperson released a statement confirming the incident:

> “A Ryanair flight from Budapest to Sofia (15 May) returned to Budapest shortly after takeoff due to a minor technical issue. The aircraft landed normally and safely, and passengers were disembarked and transferred to a replacement aircraft. Ryanair apologizes to affected passengers for any inconvenience caused.”

Investigation Underway

While Ryanair described the issue as “minor,” aviation authorities have launched a routine investigation to determine the exact cause of the fault. The aircraft involved will undergo a full inspection before returning to service.

According to airport officials, operations at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport were not significantly affected. Other flights continued as scheduled, with only brief delays reported in the early morning.

Growing Concerns Over Fleet Maintenance?

Although Ryanair has a generally strong safety record, the incident has reignited conversations about aircraft maintenance practices, especially among low-cost carriers. Some passengers expressed concerns on social media, questioning whether budget airlines cut corners in maintaining their fleets.

Aviation analyst Peter Molnár from the Budapest Aviation Research Group weighed in:

> “Incidents like this are not uncommon and often involve cautionary decisions by pilots. It’s important to note that returning to the airport is a standard safety measure. However, repeated issues can raise concerns if patterns emerge.”

Passengers Rebooked and Compensated

Ryanair confirmed that all affected passengers were accommodated on another flight to Sofia later in the day. Some travelers were also offered the option of a full refund or rebooking for another date.

“The airline gave us vouchers for snacks and drinks while we waited for the next flight,” said Márton Dobrev, another passenger. “It was inconvenient, but I’m thankful we’re safe and that the crew handled it professionally.”

Safety First

This latest event underscores the importance of airline safety protocols and the readiness of flight crews to act quickly and decisively in the event of technical malfunctions. Although no one was harmed and the aircraft landed safely, the experience was undoubtedly unsettling for those on board.

Experts remind the public that emergency landings, while dramatic-sounding, are often executed with the highest level of safety and professionalism. Ryanair, like all European carriers, is bound by strict EU aviation safety regulations enforced by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

As the airline investigates the cause of the fault, passengers and industry watchers alike will be keen to learn whether the issue was isolated or part of a broader concern.

Conclusion

The emergency landing of Ryanair flight FR7324 at Budapest Airport serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of air travel, but also of the robustness of modern aviation safety protocols. Thanks to the swift actions of the flight crew, passengers avoided potential danger and were quickly placed on an alternative journey to their destination.

Further updates are expected as investigators analyze the aircraft’s systems and determine the cause of the technical problem. For now, passengers are safe, and Ryanair has pledged full cooperation with aviation authorities.