A Ryanair flight operated by Malta Air carrying 171 people landed at Manchester Airport with less than six minutes of fuel remaining after severe weather forced the aircraft to abandon multiple landing attempts.The Boeing 737-800, operating Ryanair flight FR3418 from Pisa to Glasgow Prestwick, was involved in what UK investigators classified as a “serious incident” on 3rd October last year.The aircraft abandoned two landing attempts after receiving wind shear warnings before seeking to divert to Manchester. However, its initial diversion request was refused, with the airport reportedly considered too busy.Investigators found that a breakdown in communication at Manchester Airport led to the request being refused, despite airport and handling-agent policies indicating that the diversion should have been accepted.The aircraft instead attempted to land at Edinburgh, where it encountered another wind shear event. With fuel running low, the crew transmitted a Mayday fuel call before deciding that diverting to Manchester was the safest option.When the Ryanair flight eventually landed in Manchester, it had just 363kg of fuel remaining, enough for less than six minutes in the air.Its required final reserve was 1,100kg, with investigators saying there was unlikely to have been sufficient fuel for another go-around.Manchester Airport has since reinforced its diversion procedures, reiterating that requests should be accepted when the airport has capacity and that the decision does not rest with the handling agent.What do you make of the investigators’ findings?•