22 Sep 2012 2:28 PM:
This is simply the Spanish aviation authority not happy with the fact that a "foreign" airline which has become a major airline in the country. The mayday calls for fuel emergencies were standard procedures for this event. At no time were they about to run out of fuel and looked for clearance from air traffic control to be put to them to the top of the queue for landing. A pilot friend who works for a rival airline to Ryanair has told me of a bias for Spanish airlines ahead of non Spanish airlines by ATC . Some months ago an Aer Lingus flight into Barcelona had to declare a fuel emergency Into Barcelona after ATC wouldn't clear them in for landing. The Spanish visited the Irish aviation authority during the week to discuss the standards that Ryanair (and all Irish registered aircraft) have to adhere to and were left with no doubt that Ryanair and its 300 aircraft are regulated to the highest European standards. The fact the pilots called these maydays is the right thing to do and I'd be more worried concerning the incidents we never hear of.
It is interesting to note the amount of fuel emergency calls that seem to occur in spain and not just by Ryanair. I think the Spanish authorities have more to answer for that just Ryanair.
Forum thread:
What is going on with Ryanair in Spain?
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