A Ryanair aircraft operating the Dublin–Bristol route was diverted more than 1,500 kilometers and landed in Alicante due to Storm Boelo

A Ryanair plane flying from Dublin to Bristol was diverted more than 1,500 kilometres and landed in Alicante, Spain, after Storm Boelo made a safe landing in the United Kingdom impossible. The aircraft reached the alternative destination approximately three hours after takeoff.

The pilot abandoned the attempt to land at Bristol Airport because of wind gusts reaching approximately 135 kilometres per hour and dangerous conditions on the ground. The flight was redirected to Alicante, where the passengers landed without any further details being reported about possible problems on board.

The storm caused major disruptions to British air transport. Dozens of flights were cancelled at Heathrow and Gatwick airports, while hundreds of thousands of homes were left without electricity. Two men died after being struck by trees brought down by the wind, while several areas were affected by damage.

Boelo hit the United Kingdom shortly after Storm Austen, which had already caused problems in the south of the country. Meteorologists forecast a temporary improvement in the weather, but a new low-pressure system was expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds from Tuesday, 27 October. The Met Office issued a yellow warning for Scotland, northern England and northeastern Northern Ireland.