A Ryanair flight from from Malaga to Leeds was forced to make an emergency landing in Bristol after a passenger fell seriously ill mid-air.

The flight had departed at around 10.50pm on May 12 and was expected to land in Leeds Bradford shortly before 1am, but the route changed after a medical emergency unfolded onboard.

According to Scottish outlet Daily Record, the woman collapsed while the aircraft was flying over France.

Cabin crew quickly activated emergency procedures and the plane was diverted to Bristol Airport, where paramedics were waiting on the runway.

Images shared after the incident showed ambulance crews attending to the situation beside the aircraft shortly after landing.

One passenger, identified only as Johnny, described the atmosphere onboard as initially calm before the emergency suddenly unfolded.

‘It was a bit worrying because it was a night flight and everything was very quiet, so it was the last thing we expected,’ he told the newspaper.

He also praised the airline crew for their handling of the incident, describing them as ‘very professional’, although he admitted ‘you could hear the panic in their voices’.

The passenger was removed from the aircraft in Bristol to receive medical treatment.

The plane reportedly remained on the ground for around 90 minutes before continuing its journey north.

It eventually landed at Leeds Bradford Airport at approximately 2.30am.

Johnny described the ordeal as ‘quite exhausting’ for passengers onboard.

Ryanair later confirmed the diversion, stating that the Malaga to Leeds Bradford service on May 12 was rerouted after a passenger became ill mid-flight.

The airline said crew had contacted medical teams in advance so assistance would be ready upon arrival in Bristol.

The current condition of the passenger remains unknown.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.