Ryanair seeks €15,000 in damages from disruptive passenger

Ryanair alleged that a passenger’s 'inexcusable behaviour' led to the flight being diverted to Porto in Portugal where it was delayed overnight.

Ryanair has 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.

Referring to it as a “major misconduct clampdown,” Ryanair said that taking such court cases would be just one of the many consequences unruly passengers would face in future.

The airline issued a statement on Wednesday to say it had taken the case, arising out of the incident on flight FR7124 from Dublin to Lanzarote on April 9 last year.

It alleged that a passenger’s “inexcusable behaviour” led to the flight being diverted to Porto in Portugal where it was delayed overnight.

Ryanair said that 160 passengers faced unnecessary disruption which cost them a full day of their holiday.

It said that passengers and crew should travel in a safe and respectful environment, without unnecessary disruption caused by a “tiny number of unruly passengers”.

Furthermore, it said it would continue to take such action for the benefit of the vast majority of passengers who do not disrupt flights.

“It is unacceptable that passengers — many of whom are heading away with family or friends to enjoy a relaxing summer holiday — are suffering unnecessary disruption and reduced holiday time as a result of one unruly passenger’s behaviour,” a spokesperson for the airline said.

“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.” 

'Consequences'

The spokesperson said that this was “just one of the many consequences” that passengers who disrupt flights will take arising from its zero tolerance policy.

“We hope this action will deter further disruptive behaviour on flights so that passengers and crew can travel in a comfortable and respectful environment,” the spokesperson added.

Last summer, airlines indicated there would be a clampdown on unacceptable behaviour on flights as they said there had been a three-fold increase in passenger “unruly behaviour” between 2019 and 2023, with more frequent instances of intoxicated passengers, aggressive or inappropriate behaviour, and not following the directions of cabin crew.

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.

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The industry said it would aim to increase the ability to ban passengers through no-fly lists, ensure gardaí are informed of all criminal activity, further training for cabin crew and improved communications to passengers.

On the issue of alcohol and drugs consumption, the declaration acknowledges that this may be a contributory factor to unruly behaviour. It said staff would be “empowered” to monitor and curtail excessive alcohol consumption when appropriate.

It said it would also “seek to create a culture change that it is not acceptable to be intoxicated on fights”.