April 17, 2025
Ryanair Applauds Malta Court for Fining Disruptive Passenger

Ryanair Applauds Malta Court for Fining Disruptive Passenger

Ryanair has welcomed the decision by a Malta court to fine a disruptive passenger who smoked onboard a flight from Cologne to Malta and refused to follow crew instructions.
A Ryanair 737 on the tarmac.
Photo Credit: Ryanair

Ryanair has expressed its approval of a recent Malta court ruling that convicted a passenger for causing a disturbance on flight FR5205. The Ryanair disruptive passenger incident occurred on 22 March 2025, during a trip from Cologne, Germany, to Malta.

The individual concerned admitted guilt in court after smoking onboard and ignoring crew instructions. The conviction resulted in a €2,000 fine for the unruly passenger.

Ryanair highlighted that such incidents, though rare, are unacceptable and disrupt the journey for the majority of well-behaved travelers.

The company reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on passenger misconduct, vowing to maintain a peaceful environment on all its flights.

Passengers board a Ryanair flight at Dublin Airport.
GuavaTrain, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ryanair Comments


A spokesperson for Ryanair commented on the Malta court ruling. “It’s unfair that passengers, especially those traveling with young children, have to endure disturbances caused by a single inconsiderate individual.”

“We fully support the Malta court’s decision to impose a €2,000 fine on the passenger who disrupted flight FR5205 last Saturday. This ruling reinforces our ongoing efforts to ensure safety and respect onboard every Ryanair flight.”

The Malta case follows last week’s news of Ryanair launching a criminal prosecution case in Spain. The case involves a passenger who caused chaos on flight FR2001 from Lanzarote to Santiago on January 17, 2025.

His actions resulted in a 40-minute delay, inconveniencing 137 fellow travelers. Depending on the Spanish court’s ruling, the Ryanair disruptive passenger could face 3 to 12 months in prison or a fine equivalent to 6 to 18 months of his salary.

Earlier today (February 20th), Ryanair flight FR8164 bound for Malaga from London Stansted declared an emergency and diverted to Nantes.
Photo Credit: Ryanair

Ryanair Enforcing Strict Zero Tolerance Policy


The airline’s firm policy against unruly behavior includes several measures to address such incidents. With recent legal actions, Ryanair is clearly signaling its willingness to enforce a zero tolerance policy. It is prepared to issue travel bans, assist local law enforcement with investigations, and even seek civil damages when necessary.

These steps aim to deter potential troublemakers and protect the travel experience for the vast majority of passengers who follow the rules.

Ryanair’s proactive approach reflects a broader commitment to tackling the small fraction of travelers who disregard onboard regulations.

By working with authorities and upholding strict standards, the airline hopes to send a clear message: disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. This latest case in Malta serves as a strong example of how Ryanair is willing to work with judicial systems to uphold safety and order.

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