Moment police board Ryanair plane after woman 'tries to open emergency exit' mid-flight

A Ryanair flight from Manchester to Agadir, in Morocco, was forced to return to the UK after a woman allegedly tried to open an emergency exit mid-flight.

Footage reveals the moment a Ryanair passenger was removed from a plane after a woman attempted to 'open an emergency exit' mid-flight, according to a fellow passenger.

A video recorded by a passenger on the plane shows Greater Manchester Police officers removing belongings from the overhead bins above the seats.

The officers can then be seen walking down the aisle towards the front exit of the plane.

The Ryanair flight from Manchester to Agadir, in Morocco, had to be diverted back to Manchester Airport this morning (August 25) after taking off at 9am.

Greater Manchester Police officers boarded the plane when it returned an hour later, reports the Manchester Evening News.

A woman was arrested when the flight safely returned to the airport, a Greater Manchester Police spokesperson has confirmed.

A Ryanair spokesperson revealed what happened on the plane in a statement.

An airline spokesperson the Manchester Evening News: "This flight from Manchester to Agadir (25 Aug) diverted to back to Manchester shortly after take-off after a passenger became disruptive onboard.

"Crew called ahead for police assistance, who met the aircraft upon landing at Manchester Airport and offloaded this passenger before this flight continued to Agadir.

"Ryanair has a strict zero tolerance policy towards passenger misconduct and will continue to take decisive action to combat unruly passenger behaviour, ensuring that all passengers and crew travel in a safe and respectful environment, without unnecessary disruption."

Passengers on board attempted to prevent the woman from opening the exit door and promptly alerted the cabin crew. The flight's captain was then brought into the situation, according to an eyewitness who spoke to the Manchester Evening News.

The disruptive passenger was moved away from the emergency exit seat, with the captain having to stay by the exit.

The aircraft was landed and the woman involved was 'escorted off the plane by Greater Manchester Police', as reported by another passenger.

Engineers were subsequently called in to assess the damage and replace any necessary parts, as per the witness's account.

A passenger on the flight relayed to the Manchester Evening News: "The Ryanair flight RK1266 [from Manchester] for Agadir in Morocco [was] diverted back to Manchester Airport due to a passenger attempting to open emergency exit.

"However she was only able to get the plastic covering off and as a result was unsuccessful, as other passengers stopped her and made cabin crew aware of the situation at 9.30am, who then made the captain aware.

"The passenger was moved from the emergency exit seat and the captain remained at the emergency exit until we landed back at Manchester Airport.

"The plane landed safely and the passenger involved was escorted off the plane by Greater Manchester Police.

"Engineers came to check the door and replaced the plastic covers."

The flight, RUK1266, then resumed its journey at 11.22am, according to Flight Aware data.