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Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary today dismissed complaints about the airline's safety procedures after one of the airline's planes was forced to make an unscheduled landing in France last night following a loss of pressure in the cabin.

Sixteen people were taken to hospital when the plane which was travelling from Bristol to Barcelona with 168 passengers onboard landed at Limoges airport in central France.

A company spokeswoman said: “Ryanair confirms that the FR9336 from Bristol airport to Barcelona Girona airport on the evening of August 25 experienced an inflight depressurisation incident which caused the oxygen masks on board to deploy.

“As a safety precaution the captain descended and diverted the aircraft to Limoges Airport at approximately 23.30 local French time.

“All 168 passengers disembarked safely upon landing. A total of 16 passengers together with five accompanying family members have transferred, at their request, to a local hospital complaining of ear ache," she added.