A holiday flight bound for the Spanish island of Mallorca was forced to turn back shortly after departure when the crew encountered problems with the aircraft’s flaps.
On March 13th 2026, a TUI Airways Boeing 737-800, registration G-TAWB, operating flight BY-2540 from Manchester to Palma de Mallorca, departed Manchester Airport from runway 23L.
Shortly after takeoff, while climbing out, the crew stopped the climb at approximately FL080 after encountering a problem with the aircraft’s flap system. The flaps are critical flight control surfaces used to provide additional lift during takeoff and landing.
To manage the aircraft’s weight before landing, the pilots entered a holding pattern to burn off fuel while assessing the situation and preparing for the return.
After completing the necessary procedures, the crew brought the aircraft back to Manchester, where it landed safely on runway 23L about 70 minutes after its departure.
Passengers were later accommodated on a replacement Boeing 737-800, registration G-TUKR, which continued the journey to Palma de Mallorca and arrived with a delay of approximately four hours and fifteen minutes.
Following the incident, the original aircraft remained on the ground in Manchester about 36 hours after landing while maintenance teams inspected the flap system and carried out necessary repairs.
