According to the Algarve Regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command, all passengers are safe and well.

Speaking to Lusa, the same source said that, at around 12:00, the airport's emergency intervention plan was activated, but the device of 69 operators and 30 vehicles was not committed because the landing was successful.

“It was a successful landing, it was a failure of the aircraft in flight and it was a Boeing 737 from the Ryanair company”, said the same source, without being able to specify the origin and destination of the affected plane or the number of passengers who were on board.

Ryanair told The Portugal News: ‘This flight from Stansted to Lisbon (20 Dec) diverted to Faro due to a minor technical issue with the aircraft. The aircraft landed normally, passengers disembarked and the aircraft was inspected by engineers. To minimise disruption to passengers, Ryanair organised alternative transport for passengers to Lisbon which departed earlier this afternoon.’