A Ryanair flight en route to Malta was diverted to East Midlands Airport after a bird struck soon after takeoff. A passenger aircraft took off for a three-hour flight from Norwich heading towards Malta at 8:41 BST on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. The plane was circling around the city at about 7,000 ft (2,134m) before repeating the same manoeuvre over Nottingham. However, after the bird struck, the aircraft didn't make an emergency landing, the spokesperson for the airline confirmed.
In a statement, a Ryanair spokesperson said, "This flight from Norwich to Malta diverted to East Midlands Airport following a minor bird strike shortly after take-off." "This flight arrived at East Midlands Airport at 10:00 local time," it added. The airline stated that, "In order to minimise delay, we have arranged for a replacement aircraft to operate this flight to Malta, which is due to depart at 11:40 am local time."
The pilot sent an emergency squawk code, which helps air traffic controllers track and separate planes in busy airspace, per a BBC report. A Ryanair flight from Malta had landed at Norwich Airport at 7:48 local time. Norwich Airport was forced to shut operations following a strike by air traffic control staff that left hundreds of passengers stranded at the airport last month.
Since then, strikes have become a routine after a vote by air traffic control members of the union Prospect last month. The staff have been demanding an increase in their wages and action to ease their shifts, highlighting ongoing operational challenges within the aviation sector.