Tours Airport: A Passenger Recounts His Memorable Diversion

IN BRIEF

Incident of diversion on a Ryanair flight at the airport of Tours.
Flight departed from Marrakech with a departure at 6:30 AM.
Pilot made two landing attempts but faced dense fog.
After circling for a while, the plane was diverted to Rennes.
Passengers kept on board, unable to disembark due to lack of customs service.
More than two hours of waiting, several passengers expressed their dissatisfaction.
Finally, landing in Tours took place at 1:40 PM.
The airport director explained the seasonal weather issues.

On the morning of November 16, 2024, a Ryanair aircraft carrying 130 passengers was forced to divert due to reduced visibility caused by thick fog while approaching Tours airport. This latest incident marks the third similar occurrence since the beginning of autumn, plunging travelers into an adventure full of waiting and discomfort, where the pilot’s expertise was put to the test.

An early departure and uncertain arrival #

With the enthusiasm of an anticipated trip, passengers rose early, at 3 AM, in Marrakech. The schedule called for a takeoff at 6:30 AM, followed by an arrival in Tours around 9 AM. Among them was Kambiz, a resident of Chanceaux-sur-Choisille, who was taking this flight for the first time and reminiscing about the moment when the pilot transparently announced he couldn’t locate the runway. After two unsuccessful landing attempts, the pilot calmly explained the procedures while keeping the passengers’ spirits up as they awaited an improvement in weather conditions.

The reality of diversion #

Faced with an overcast sky that promised no clearings and with a limited fuel reserve, the pilot had no choice but to head towards Rennes, where landing occurred around 11 AM. However, this new destination brought its own set of complications. Passengers eager to disembark were informed that they could not leave the aircraft due to the absence of customs service. This situation led to a wait of over two hours, with insufficient provisions to alleviate the hunger from an already disrupted flight.

Uncomfortable conditions for travelers #

In this context of waiting and palpable dissatisfaction, Kambiz shared his feeling of disillusionment: “We stayed on board for thirty minutes before being escorted to an area of the airport where we could not move freely. Only a bottle of water was provided. It was tough for everyone, especially for families with young children. I have traveled often, but I have never seen such contempt for passengers.” The circumstances amplified the discomfort, especially for those who needed to catch connections.

A return to Tours but not without additional difficulties #

After a moment of uncertainty, passengers were allowed to reboard after a lengthy period of inactivity. The pilot outlined an emergency plan, considering the option of landing at Paris-Beauvais instead of Tours if safety conditions did not improve. Fortunately, against all odds, the landing at Tours was ultimately successful, but much later than expected, at 1:40 PM.

The equipment at Tours airport at the heart of discussions #

This latest diversion incident recalls other similar events that have occurred recently. According to Mickaël Toma, director of Tours airport, “There have been three cases since the start of autumn. It’s the lot of seasonal unpredictability, particularly with reduced visibility. The altitude of fogs is a constant issue for morning arrivals.” While he emphasized that the airport’s facilities are top-notch and well-equipped, the frequency of these incidents raises questions about the management of weather challenges and the organization of customs services.

An experience forever etched in memory #

The tumultuous account of this flight illustrates how the reality of traveling can be tested by unforeseen conditions. The Ryanair passengers, although faced with a challenging journey, demonstrated resilience in the face of the unpredictability of air travel, marking another adventure in the book of air transport’s uncertainties.