MADRID, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- A flight of low-cost airline Ryanair from Madrid to Gran Canaria was forced to turn back an hour after take-off as a result of technical problems, it was confirmed by Madrid's Barajas Airport.

The 737 from Barajas to Las Palmas took off at 07:15 am local time (0615 GMT), but returned to Madrid after suffering a problem with cabin pressure. Passengers also complained there had been a burning smell in the cabin, although airport authorities said there was no evidence of smoke from either of the plane's two engines.

Firemen, medical and security staff were mobilized in Madrid although they were not needed when the plane landed an hour later. A total of 16 passengers out the 160 onboard sought medical attention for headaches and earaches produced by the change in cabin pressure. Two people were taken to hospital as a precaution.

Ryanair has been in the news in Spain in recent days after two flights to Valencia asked for priority landing citing lack of fuel, while an Ryanair flight to Lanzarote this week was forced to do an emergency landing for the same reason. This has led to questions that the airline is operating at a low cost at the expense of passenger safety. Enditem

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