Ryanair takes legal action against passenger for 'inexcusable behaviour' on Lanzarote flight

The airline added that they have a strict zero tolerance policy when it comes to passenger behaviour.

Ryanair has said it has initiated criminal proceedings after a passenger's "inexcusable behaviour" caused delays and disruption on a flight in January.

The airline started a private prosecution through the Spanish courts after the man's actions on a flight from Lanzarote to Santiago on January 17.

They stated that his behaviour caused a 40-minute departure delay and unnecessary disruption to 137 passengers.

In a statement, the airline said that the passenger, who claimed to be a UN diplomat with “diplomatic immunity”, attempted to take a seat that was not assigned to him and became "verbally abusive when the crew asked to see his boarding card."

He was removed from the flight by the Guardia Civil in Lanzarote.

The airline added that it has a strict zero-tolerance policy when it comes to passenger behaviour.

A spokesperson said: “It is unacceptable that passengers, many of whom are on a family holiday, are suffering unnecessary delay as a result of one unruly passenger’s behaviour.

"Yet this was regrettably the case for passengers on this flight from Lanzarote to Santiago in January, during which a disruptive passenger caused a departure delay due to his misconduct.

We have initiated a private criminal prosecution against this passenger, in which the court may impose a sentence of 3-12 months imprisonment or a fine of 6-18 months’ salary. These are just some of the potential consequences under Ryanair's zero tolerance policy for passengers who disrupt flights.

They added: "We hope this example will deter further disruptive behaviour on Ryanair flights, so that passengers and crew can travel in a comfortable and respectful environment as is their right.”

Earlier this year, Ryanair filed legal proceedings in the Circuit Court claiming over €15,000 in damages against a passenger who allegedly disrupted a flight which had to be diverted.

The airline issued a statement in January confirming it had taken the case, arising from the incident on flight FR7124 from Dublin to Lanzarote.

Last summer, airlines announced a clampdown on unacceptable behaviour on flights, stating there had been a threefold increase in unruly passenger behaviour between 2019 and 2023, with more frequent instances of intoxication, aggression, inappropriate behaviour, and failure to follow cabin crew instructions.

All Irish airlines and airports, the Irish Aviation Authority, An Garda Síochána, AirNav Ireland, ground handlers, and international aviation organisations came together to sign a declaration on how such incidents will be handled on flights, as they already meet regularly to discuss these issues and take a collaborative approach.