Fighter jets scrambled to escort TUI flight from Cardiff as handwritten note sparks major emergency – while Ryanair passengers endure ‘severe turbulence’ before wing is torn apart in Greece
British holidaymakers faced twin aviation nightmares yesterday as a bomb threat forced the evacuation of a TUI flight while a separate Ryanair jet crashed into a barrier after landing, tearing its wing apart.
In dramatic scenes, Portuguese F-16 fighter jets were scrambled to escort TUI flight BY6422 from Cardiff to Lanzarote after cabin crew discovered a chilling handwritten note claiming there was a bomb on board.
Meanwhile, terrified passengers on Ryanair flight FR6080 from London Stansted heard a “loud banging sound” as their Boeing 737 smashed into a red-and-white barrier at Kalamata Airport in Greece, following a flight plagued by severe turbulence.
BOMB THREAT TERROR
The TUI drama unfolded at 30,000 feet as the Boeing 737-800 carrying British holidaymakers flew over Portugal en route to the popular Canary Islands destination.
A crew member discovered the threatening note – sealed in an envelope – hidden in the aircraft’s toilet and immediately alerted the pilots.
Within minutes, two Portuguese Air Force F-16M fighter jets from Monte Real air base were racing to intercept the commercial flight, as air traffic controllers declared a major emergency.
The Portuguese military confirmed: “With the F-16Ms already monitoring the situation to ensure the safety and good management of national airspace, the crew of the civilian aircraft decided to continue the flight to the destination airport.”
EMERGENCY EVACUATION
The TUI flight, which had departed Cardiff at 7:00am with mainly British holidaymakers on board, touched down at César Manrique-Lanzarote Airport just before 11:00am under fighter escort.
The aircraft was immediately directed to a remote secure area where passengers were ordered off and told to identify their luggage on the tarmac.
Spanish bomb disposal experts from TEDAX (Explosives Deactivation Group), alongside Civil Guard units, firefighters and armed police, swarmed the Boeing 737.
Air traffic controllers posted on X: “The plane has been guided with the presence of firefighters to a siding where the passengers have had to identify their luggage. Landing and takeoff operations have been temporarily interrupted, which has caused some delays.
FALSE ALARM BUT REAL FEAR
After an exhaustive search of the aircraft and all luggage, authorities confirmed it was a false alarm – no explosive device was found.
But the terror was real for passengers, with several expressing shock at the ordeal. Some reported being unaware of the threat until after disembarking, while others described the tense atmosphere as heavily armed personnel surrounded their plane.
Four other flights were delayed as the airport implemented emergency protocols, disrupting travel plans for hundreds more holidaymakers at the start of the peak summer season.
RYANAIR HORROR CRASH
In a separate nightmare scenario, Ryanair passengers endured their own ordeal when flight FR6080 crashed into a barrier after landing at Kalamata International Airport.
The Boeing 737 had battled severe turbulence during its three-and-a-half-hour journey from London Stansted, with the captain warning of a “bumpy landing” ahead.
But nothing prepared the 179 passengers for what happened next.
A passenger source told The Sun: “There was severe turbulence during the flight, but it managed to land on the runway at Kalamata International. The crew said it was going to be a bumpy landing.”
“But while it was taxiing down the runway towards the red and white barrier at the end, the plane turned and everyone heard this loud banging sound. You could feel the impact.”
WING TORN APART
Shocking photos show the aircraft’s right wing badly torn and sheared from the force of the collision with the ground barrier.
The metal was ripped apart, leaving jagged edges where the wingtip had been torn away – a sight that left passengers stunned at the severity of the damage.
Incredibly, despite the visible damage and passenger fears about potential fire risk, crew members initially instructed everyone to remain seated while emergency services assessed the situation.
‘LOUD BANG’ TERROR
Eyewitnesses described hearing a “loud bang” that reverberated through the cabin as the 737 made contact with the perimeter fence.
“Everyone heard this loud banging sound. You could feel the impact,” one passenger revealed.
The collision happened as the aircraft was taxiing to its designated parking stand after what should have been a routine landing at 2:45pm local time.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene but the decision to keep passengers on board amid visible wing damage sparked criticism from aviation safety observers.
AIRLINES RESPOND
Ryanair confirmed the incident in a carefully worded statement: “This flight from London Stansted to Kalamata (18 June) was taxiing to stand when the wing tip came in contact with a fence at Kalamata Airport.”
“The aircraft subsequently continued to stand, and passengers disembarked normally.”
The airline insisted the damaged Boeing 737 underwent “required inspections and maintenance” before incredibly being cleared to operate a return flight to London Stansted just hours later.
TUI has yet to comment on the bomb threat incident, with Metro reporting that the airline had been contacted for a statement.
PORTUGUESE FIGHTER RESPONSE
The Portuguese Air Force revealed the dramatic military response to the bomb threat in an official statement.
With the F-16Ms already monitoring the situation to ensure the safety and good management of national airspace, the crew of the civilian aircraft decided to continue the flight to the destination airport, outside national territory,” they confirmed.
Upon leaving the national flight information region, responsibility passed to Spain, with the Portuguese F-16Ms carrying out the handover of the mission and subsequent return to Monte Real.
INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED
Spanish authorities have launched a full investigation into who was behind the bomb hoax, with anyone found guilty facing severe legal consequences.
Under Spanish law, making false threats that jeopardize public safety can result in lengthy prison sentences and substantial fines.
The Canarian Weekly reported that the Civil Guard’s Fiscal and Border Section were leading the investigation, alongside specialist units.
SAFETY CONCERNS MOUNT
The twin incidents have raised serious questions about aviation safety protocols, particularly around ground operations and security screening.
Aviation experts pointed out that the Ryanair collision follows several recent turbulence-related incidents, including another Ryanair flight that made an emergency landing in Germany on June 4 after severe turbulence injured nine passengers.
Matthew Collins, an aviation safety consultant, told reporters: “These incidents highlight the fine margins in aviation safety. The Ryanair collision during taxiing is particularly concerning as this should be the safest phase of any flight.”
SUMMER OF CHAOS?
The dramatic events come at the worst possible time as millions of Britons prepare for summer holidays, with both incidents occurring on popular tourist routes.
Kalamata Airport serves as a key gateway for tourists visiting the Greek Peloponnese region, handling nearly 300,000 passengers annually.
Meanwhile, Lanzarote remains one of the most popular destinations for British holidaymakers seeking guaranteed sunshine in the Canary Islands.
PASSENGER FURY
Travelers took to social media to express their shock at both incidents, with many questioning how such serious breaches could occur.
One passenger tweeted: “Absolutely terrifying day for British travelers. A bomb threat AND a plane crash? What is going on with airline safety?”
Another added: “How on earth does a commercial plane just crash into a barrier? And why were passengers kept on board with visible damage? Shocking.”
The incidents serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges facing the aviation industry as it struggles with increased passenger numbers, aging infrastructure, and heightened security threats.
As investigations continue into both incidents, nervous flyers may be left wondering what other surprises await them at 30,000 feet this summer.
