Overview
- A Boeing 737‑8 MAX on Ryanair flight FR7073 turned back to Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport after the captain entered squawk 7500, the hijack transponder code, during climb on Tuesday.
- Portuguese police met the aircraft on landing and removed a 48‑year‑old woman who had told crew she was being followed and handed them sheets of paper describing her claim.
- Ryanair called the event a false security report and said the situation was quickly resolved before the flight departed again and reached Dublin about two hours and 33 minutes late.
- Portuguese outlets gave conflicting accounts of whether officers reboarded the passenger after identifying her or escorted her out, and there is no public confirmation of charges or a formal investigation outcome.
- Squawk code 7500 triggers an automated alarm to controllers, confirmation checks with the crew, and notification of police or defence services, a protocol that has in past cases led to military or law enforcement responses.