Dublin: Ryanair has initiated legal action against a passenger whose alleged disruptive behavior forced a flight to divert, incurring significant expenses for the airline. The Irish carrier announced on Wednesday that it is seeking €15,000 ($15,500) in damages.
The incident occurred on April 9 during a flight from Dublin to Lanzarote, a Spanish island. Due to what the airline described as “inexcusable behavior” by the passenger, the flight was diverted to Porto, Portugal, where it was delayed overnight.
According to Ryanair, the diversion resulted in €15,000 in costs, including landing fees, accommodation for passengers, and other related expenses.
In a statement, Ryanair confirmed, “We have now filed civil proceedings to recover these costs from this passenger.” The airline refrained from disclosing the passenger’s identity.
Ryanair has been vocal in its zero-tolerance policy toward disruptive behavior, emphasizing its commitment to ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers and crew. The airline has urged passengers to act responsibly, warning that any such incidents may result in legal consequences.
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Broader Implications for Passenger Conduct
The legal proceedings reflect a growing trend among airlines to hold passengers accountable for disruptive actions. As aviation recovers from the pandemic, airlines are taking stricter measures to address unruly behavior, which has spiked in recent years.
This case is likely to set a precedent for how airlines handle similar situations, potentially deterring passengers from engaging in disruptive conduct during flights.
