In an unprecedented legal move, Irish budget airline Ryanair is suing a passenger for €15,000 following an incident of unruly behaviour that forced a flight diversion. The case, filed in Dublin’s Circuit Court, marks the first civil action of its kind in Ireland and is part of Ryanair’s zero-tolerance policy for disruptive passengers.
The incident occurred on 9 April 2023, during a flight from Dublin to Lanzarote. The passenger’s behaviour led to an unscheduled diversion to Porto, Portugal. This diversion then resulted in an overnight delay, forcing Ryanair to accommodate 160 passengers in hotels and cover additional expenses. The airline described the individual’s actions as “inexcusable” and “completely unacceptable”, emphasizing the disruption caused to other passengers, many of whom lost a full day of their holidays.
Under EU regulations, passengers affected by significant delays or cancellations are entitled to compensation, including free accommodation, meals and transport if an overnight stay is required. Ryanair ensured that all affected passengers on the diverted flight received these entitlements, even as it incurred substantial costs due to the incident.
The airline is thus seeking to recover damages to cover the costs incurred, including hotel stays and meals for affected passengers. In a statement, it reiterated its commitment to combating unruly passenger behaviour, stating, “This passenger’s inexcusable behaviour forced this flight to divert to Porto, causing unnecessary disruption to 160 passengers. It is unacceptable that passengers who work hard to enjoy a trip away with family and friends are robbed of their pleasure due to one individual’s failure to behave.”
The low-cost carrier hopes this legal action will serve as a deterrent to others, encouraging respectful and safe behaviour on board. “This demonstrates just one of the many consequences disruptive passengers will face under our zero-tolerance policy,” a Ryanair spokesperson said.
The legal case could set a precedent for other airlines grappling with disruptive passengers. Dr. Brian Flanagan, an associate professor at Maynooth University, suggested that the outcome of the lawsuit could influence industry practices in the future. “If successful, this legal approach may be adopted by other airlines, reassuring passengers and crew that such behaviour will not go unpunished,” he noted.
Disruptive behaviour on flights has been an ongoing challenge for the aviation industry. While this is Ryanair’s first civil suit against a passenger, similar actions have been taken elsewhere. For instance, in 2021, US regulators pursued a Texan woman for $82,000 after violent behaviour on an American Airlines flight.
