The airline has stated that the diversion was due to a strike from French air traffic control.

"This flight from Dublin to Faro (16 Sept) diverted to Malaga having missed Faro Airport's curfew due to disruption from the French air traffic control (ATC) strike, which was entirely beyond our control and impacted all airlines flying to/from/over France that day,” the statement said.

“To minimise disruption to passengers, Ryanair quickly arranged for a coach to transport passengers from Malaga Airport to their final destination.

“Ryanair sincerely apologises to passengers for the inconvenience caused as a result of this unjustified French ATC strike."

“Low morale”

According to a report by the Sunday World, one passenger wrote on social media about the situation through a series of tweets.

“Got on a Ryanair flight to Faro and I'm in Malaga lads, you couldn't make this up,” he said.

“Morale is low, some people are only just realising we're in Spain.

“We're on a five hour bus to Portugal now and we've stopped for petrol and pee stops within five minutes. I'm never getting out of here. One bus for 157 people, good luck to everyone we left behind

“Got to the Dublin airport 12 hours ago and now I'm in a petrol station in Malaga at 5.41am, send help.

“We're doing a bus swap at the border. The new bus driver is here sans bus. I'm getting coffee.”