Ryanair sues disruptive passenger over $15K after forced flight diversion

Home
»
Stories
»
2025
»
January

GLOBAL INDUSTRY NEWS

Qatar Airways In Talks To Buy 20% Of Virgin Australia - Airline Ratings

Global Industry News

Ryanair sues disruptive passenger over $15K after forced flight diversion

Policy

Simple Flying | Simple Flying

By Sky Industry News

Jan 8, 2025

Ryanair has initiated legal action against a passenger whose behavior forced a flight diversion on April 9, 2024. The incident led to an overnight delay and disrupted the travel plans of 160 passengers. Ryanair is seeking over €15,000 ($15,438) in damages through proceedings filed in the Irish Circuit Court.

"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," stated Ryanair.

The airline emphasized its commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all passengers and crew. "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."

Get the Newsletter

Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News

By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

A spokesperson for Ryanair reiterated the unacceptability of one individual's actions impacting many. "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 United Kingdom Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) highlighted that disruptive behavior can lead not only to safety concerns but also civil prosecution. "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."

In response to increasing incidents of unruly behavior on flights between 2023 and 2019, Irish stakeholders launched the #NotOnMyFlight campaign in June 2024 aimed at reducing such occurrences.