Aviation operations across western Scotland faced major disruption on Friday evening as Storm Amy battered the region with severe winds and heavy rain. Several aircraft scheduled for Glasgow Airport departures and arrivals were forced to divert, while two planes bound for Prestwick Airport declared fuel emergencies mid-air after multiple failed landing attempts.
Chaos in the Skies Over Scotland
According to flight tracking data from FlightRadar24, two flights en route to Glasgow Prestwick Airport were unable to land due to deteriorating weather conditions caused by Storm Amy.
A Ryanair flight FR3418 traveling from Pisa, Italy, diverted first to Edinburgh Airport and then to Manchester Airport after multiple aborted landings. The aircraft transmitted a Squawk 7700 code — an international signal used to indicate a general emergency — while approaching Manchester.
At nearly the same time, a Royal Canadian Air Force flight (CFC2955) traveling from Lublin, Poland, also issued a Squawk 7700 alert before diverting to Manchester. Reports suggest both flights encountered low-fuel emergencies after prolonged holding patterns over western Scotland.
Despite the tense moments, both flights landed safely in Manchester late Friday evening.
“Strong crosswinds made conditions extremely difficult for pilots, forcing diversions to safer airports,” aviation analyst Craig Williams told The Herald. “Declaring a Squawk 7700 for fuel emergencies is standard practice when prolonged delays reduce reserve fuel margins.”
Glasgow Airport Departures Hit by Severe Weather
The weather chaos wasn’t limited to Prestwick Airport. Earlier in the day, two flights bound for Glasgow Airport were also forced to divert as wind speeds reached more than 90 mph in exposed coastal areas.
A British Airways flight (BA8726) from London City Airport, scheduled to land at Glasgow Airport around 4:50 p.m., was forced to circle above Lanark before eventually diverting to Edinburgh Airport, where it landed safely just before 5 p.m.
A Ryanair flight (FR2608) from Malaga to Glasgow faced similar difficulties. After several failed landing attempts due to violent crosswinds, the plane diverted more than 300 miles south to London Stansted Airport, arriving safely at around 7:15 p.m.
These incidents caused a ripple effect across Glasgow Airport departures, with multiple evening flights delayed or cancelled as airport staff worked to manage the challenging conditions.
Storm Amy Brings “Danger to Life” Warnings
The Met Office issued amber weather warnings for western Scotland on Friday afternoon, warning of “flying debris” and potential “danger to life” as Storm Amy made landfall. Winds exceeding 100 mph were recorded along the western coast, with heavy rain further complicating air traffic control operations.
“South to south-westerly winds will increase during Friday, initially in the west before extending eastwards overnight,” the Met Office said in a statement. “Gusts of 60 to 70 mph are likely in many areas, with over 90 mph possible in parts of northern and western Scotland.”
The combination of strong winds, heavy rain, and poor visibility led to major delays and diversions across Scotland’s main airports — Glasgow Airport, Prestwick Airport, and Edinburgh Airport.
Prestwick Airport Declares Emergency Procedures
At Prestwick Airport, emergency response units were placed on standby after the two diverted flights declared low-fuel alerts. Air traffic controllers coordinated with Manchester and Edinburgh airports to prioritize inbound aircraft with critical fuel levels.
Although both flights landed without incident, the situation has raised concerns about Scotland’s aviation preparedness during extreme weather events.
Aviation safety expert James McNally noted:
“Prestwick and Glasgow airports both have strong records for handling adverse weather, but this storm pushed infrastructure to its limits. Emergency diversions are a reminder of how quickly conditions can deteriorate.”
Passengers Urged to Check Glasgow Airport Departures
Airports across Scotland, including Glasgow Airport, have advised passengers to check flight statuses before traveling, as high winds and rain continue into the weekend. Many Glasgow Airport departures are expected to experience delays or cancellations until the storm weakens.
Travelers can view live updates through FlightRadar24, airport websites, or airline apps for the latest flight information.
A spokesperson for Glasgow Airport said:
“Safety is always our top priority. We’re working closely with airlines and air traffic control to minimize disruption, and we thank passengers for their patience during this period of extreme weather.”
Looking Ahead
With the worst of Storm Amy expected to pass by Saturday morning, airports are preparing to resume normal operations. However, airlines warn of residual delays as crews and aircraft reposition following widespread diversions.
Passengers scheduled for early Glasgow Airport departures this weekend are urged to monitor travel advisories closely and allow extra time for check-in and security.
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