Ryanair has revealed that it has launched legal proceedings against a passenger who forced an aircraft to reroute on April 9, 2024, which was then delayed overnight, forcing 160 passengers to miss out on some of their vacation.
Suing for over $15,000
Ryanair announced in a statement on January 8 that it has filed a lawsuit in the Irish Circuit Court, seeking damages of more than €15,000 ($15,438) from a customer who, in April 2024, forced flight FR7124 from Dublin Airport (DUB) to Lanzarote Airport (ACE) to divert to Porto Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO).
“This passenger’s inexcusable behaviour forced this flight to divert to Porto where it was delayed overnight, causing 160 passengers to face unnecessary disruption as well as losing a full day of their holiday.”
The low-cost airline located in Ireland went on to say that it was intolerable that one person’s actions would deprive vacationers who have worked hard to enjoy a trip with friends and/or family of their free time.
“Ryanair is committed to ensuring that all passengers and crew travel in a safe and respectful environment, without unnecessary disruption caused by a tiny number of unruly passengers.”
The airline also stated that it had a zero-tolerance policy for misbehavior by passengers. For the advantage of those who refrain from disruptive behavior, it will keep taking firm measures to stop disruptive behavior on its aircraft.
Paying for the airline’s expenses
A Ryanair representative reaffirmed that it was intolerable that most travelers must endure the consequences of one person’s actions, leading to needless disruption and less vacation time.
“Yet this was regrettably the case for passengers on this flight from Dublin to Lanzarote last April, which was forced to divert to Porto as a result of an individual passenger’s disruptive behaviour, causing €15,000 in overnight accommodation, passenger expenses, and landing costs. We have now filed civil proceedings to recover these costs from this passenger.”
The representative went on to say that the episode was only one example of the numerous penalties that passengers who interfere with aircraft may encounter under the airline’s rules.
“The company hopes that the legal proceedings will deter further disruptive behavior on flights so that passengers and crew can travel in a comfortable and respectful environment,” the Irish carrier’s spokeswoman stated.
Suing passengers
One of the primary causes of aircraft diversions, according to the UK Civil Aviation Administration (CAA), is disruptive passenger behavior, which has the potential to compromise the safety of every person on board.
“Besides safety implications, it can have serious consequences, including civil prosecution. Airlines have a right to refuse to carry passengers that they consider to be a potential risk to the safety of the aircraft, its crew, or its passengers.”
The CAA further stated that intoxication on an aircraft carries a maximum punishment of £5,000 ($6,168) and a maximum jail sentence of two years. The maximum sentence is five years in prison if the safety of an aircraft is at jeopardy.
Additionally, airlines have the right to ask passengers to pay back diversion expenses between £10,000 ($12,338) and £80,000 ($98,708). A person who forced a 2023 Jetstar flight to divert was ordered in September 2024 to pay AUD8630 ($5,349) to the airline and AUD9,000 ($5,579) in fines.
Unruly behavior tripled between 2023 and 2019, according to the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA). This includes being drunk, acting inappropriately or aggressively, and disobeying the flight crew’s instructions, which are primarily focused on safety.
“All Irish airlines and airports, An Garda Síochana, the Irish Aviation Authority, AirNav Ireland, ground handlers and international aviation organisations have all come together to tackle the issue of disruptive and dangerous behaviour, which affects passengers and staff almost every day of the year.”
In order to address these issues and lower the number of rowdy passengers interfering with airport and aircraft travel, the Irish stakeholders launched the #NotOnMyFlight campaign in June 2024 with an action plan.
FAQ
Why did Ryanair file a lawsuit against the passenger?
Ryanair filed a $15,000 lawsuit against a disruptive passenger for causing a flight diversion, which resulted in additional costs for fuel, airport fees, and delays.
How much is Ryanair suing the passenger for?
Ryanair is suing the disruptive passenger for $15,000 to recover the costs associated with the flight diversion.
What happens when a flight is diverted due to a disruptive passenger?
When a flight is diverted due to a disruptive passenger, the airline incurs significant expenses such as additional fuel, landing fees, and potential compensation to affected passengers.
Has Ryanair taken legal action against disruptive passengers before?
Yes, Ryanair has a history of taking legal action against disruptive passengers to discourage unruly behavior and maintain flight safety.
How does Ryanair handle disruptive passengers during flights?
Ryanair has strict protocols for handling disruptive passengers, including involving law enforcement upon landing and seeking compensation for financial losses incurred.
