Ryanair suing 'disruptive passenger' for causing flight to divert
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Ryanair has said it is taking legal action against a disruptive passenger. In what it described as a "major misconduct clampdown", the airline said it is seeking €15,000 (£12,500) in damages from a passenger in Ireland, whose behaviour forced a plane bound for Lanzarote to divert to Porto in Portugal last year.
Ryanair claims the diverted flight then had to be delayed overnight and caused 160 passengers to "face unnecessary disruption as well as losing a full day of their holiday". The airline described the passenger's behaviour as "inexcusable" and "completely unacceptable".
It said it calculated the sum of €15,000 from the cost of overnight accommodation, passenger expenses and landing costs. It is the first time Ryanair has brought a civil case against a disruptive passenger in Ireland, but the airline warned it will "continue to take decisive action to combat unruly passenger behaviour on aircraft".
"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 said.
"This demonstrates just one of the many consequences that passengers who disrupt flights will face as part of Ryanair's zero tolerance policy, and we hope this action will deter further disruptive behaviour on flights so that passengers and crew can travel in a comfortable and respectful environment.".
