A PASSENGER ON board a Ryanair plane flying from Portugal to Dublin died during the flight this morning.

The flight, FR7033, arrived at Dublin Airport at around 10am this morning with the deceased man on board.

It is understood the man was a 65-year-old Irish citizen. He had been returning from the southern Portuguese city of Faro on the flight when he became ill on board.

Ryanair confirmed that the passenger received medical assistance but passed away very suddenly.

A statement from the Irish airline said: “Ryanair extends its deepest sympathies to the bereaved and will be providing any assistance required.”

A Dublin Airport Authority spokesman confirmed that a “male passenger passed away on board a flight from Faro to Dublin Airport this morning”.

It is understood that there were two doctors on board the flight who administered medical assistance to the man who it is believed suffered a heart attack. He was pronounced dead a short time later.

During the incident it is understood that the flight requested to divert to the nearest airport but when the man passed away the emergency was stood down and the decision was made to continue to Dublin.

Emergency services met the plane at Dublin Airport and the deceased man’s body was removed from the aircraft and taken to Beaumont Hospital.

The Garda Press Office was not immediately aware of the incident when contacted this afternoon.