Ryanair is pursuing a legal claim against a passenger whose alleged disruptive behavior caused significant issues on a flight from Dublin to Lanzarote. The airline is seeking £12,500 in damages to cover expenses incurred when the flight had to divert to Porto, Portugal.
The incident, which occurred in April last year, led to an overnight delay for the passengers on board. Ryanair stated that the behavior of the passenger was “inexcusable” and “completely unacceptable,” emphasizing its commitment to ensuring safety and comfort for all travelers. The airline noted that the diversion disrupted the plans of 160 passengers, causing them to lose a full day of their holiday.
The damages sought by Ryanair would cover the costs of overnight accommodation, meals, and other necessary expenses for the affected passengers. The airline aims to recover these costs through civil proceedings in the Irish court system and hopes this legal action will serve as a deterrent to other potential unruly passengers.
In an official statement, a Ryanair spokesperson commented: “It is unacceptable that passengers—many of whom are traveling with family or friends for a relaxing summer holiday—must endure unnecessary disruption and reduced holiday time due to one individual’s behavior.”
This case highlights Ryanair’s recent efforts to clamp down on disruptive passenger conduct, which has increasingly become a challenge for airlines. The company has vowed to take decisive action to address such incidents, protecting the travel experience of its customers.
The passenger involved has not been named publicly. Under EU aviation laws, passengers are entitled to compensation for flights canceled or delayed by three hours or more. Additionally, airlines are required to provide hotel accommodation, transport between the airport and hotel, meals, and refreshments when an overnight stay becomes necessary.
This is not the first time Ryanair has dealt with disruptive passengers. In a separate case, a passenger who disrupted a Ryanair flight to Athens in 2020 was convicted in a Greek court last month, receiving a five-month suspended jail sentence and a €400 fine.
Ryanair’s legal pursuit underscores the airline’s zero-tolerance approach to unruly behavior, signaling its intention to safeguard passenger welfare and minimize travel disruptions caused by individual misconduct.
