Ryanair told to improve child safety

The child, Olga, escaped with only minor injuries after falling through the gap between the handrail and the level platform at the top of the Boeing 737's boarding steps in July last year.

The incident happened at Stansted airport when she was with her mother, journalist Sasha Slater, and 18-month-old brother, Joe.

After receiving initial medical assistance, Olga was airlifted to hospital but released a day later.

The AAIB recommended that Ryanair review its boarding and disembarkation procedures "so that assistance is made available to passengers accompanied by children and those with special needs".

The report says: "The gap between the extendable handrail and the upper platform of the Boeing 737 airstairs represents a hazard to small children boarding or disembarking the aircraft."

The AAIB said there had been four previously-reported similar incidents.