> At least two memorandums were sent to Ryanair pilots detailing the company's concern about what was described as "excess fuel explanations" -- a description of the reasons flight commanders have to give if they take on extra fuel over the recommended minimum fuel load.
Is "because it's only the minimum!" not a valid answer?
If you read the article to the end, they had 90 minutes extra worth of fuel, and landed with 30 minutes left after diverting due to a thunderstorm.
It was a "mayday" because they didn't have enough fuel to return to the original airport they were going to land at and/or to continue waiting in a holding pattern for another hour.
> At least two memorandums were sent to Ryanair pilots detailing the company's concern about what was described as "excess fuel explanations" -- a description of the reasons flight commanders have to give if they take on extra fuel over the recommended minimum fuel load.
Is "because it's only the minimum!" not a valid answer?