A Ryanair flight from Malaga to Edinburgh declared a mid-air emergency after experiencing a technical issue. Flight FR5090, a Boeing 737 MAX, took off from Málaga just after 6am local time (7am BST) on 22 July 2026. The aircraft issued a 7700 squawk code before landing at Edinburgh Airport.
According to Flight Radar, the emergency was declared about 30 minutes before landing, around 7.36am. The plane landed just after 8am and was met by emergency services in line with standard procedures.
What the 7700 code means
The 7700 squawk code indicates an in-flight emergency requiring immediate priority handling and assistance from air traffic controllers. It acts as a silent 'Mayday', prompting air traffic control to clear airspace and alert emergency services on the ground. The aircraft is then guided to the nearest suitable runway.
Ryanair statement
Ryanair confirmed the emergency was due to a 'minor technical issue'. A spokesperson said: 'This flight from Malaga to Edinburgh (22 Jul) experienced a minor technical issue before landing normally at Edinburgh Airport. Passengers disembarked normally and the aircraft was subsequently inspected by our engineers in accordance with established procedures.'
