By Salma El-Sakka
A Ryanair flight destined for Bristol was forced to divert nearly 1,000 miles to Spain due to dangerous wind conditions caused by Storm Boelo. The Boeing 737-800, operating flight FR2955, departed from Dublin Airport at 10:19 PM on Saturday. While the journey to Bristol typically takes less than 90 minutes, the pilot had to abort the landing attempt after reaching a cruising altitude of 27,000 feet due to severe weather on the ground.
Flight Rerouted to Alicante
Flight tracking data indicates that the aircraft crossed the English Channel and traveled through France before landing at Alicante-Elche Airport in southern Spain. The plane touched down at 1:16 AM on Sunday, approximately three hours after its initial departure from Dublin.
Widespread Aviation Disruptions
Storm Boelo brought significant disruption to UK aviation, with wind gusts reaching up to 84 mph over the weekend. Dozens of flights were cancelled at major hubs including Heathrow and Gatwick. Among the cancelled services were British Airways flights to Edinburgh, Paris, and Rome, as well as international connections via Emirates, Lufthansa, Air France, and EasyJet.
Severe Weather Impact Across the UK
Beyond aviation, the storm caused significant damage across the United Kingdom. In Scotland, major roads were closed following fallen trees, and several railway sections were forced to shut down. The storm has also resulted in two fatalities caused by falling trees and left hundreds of thousands of homes without power. A Met Office amber weather warning for wind remains in effect for much of northern England and Scotland.
