Ryanair has released information about expenses incurred from an unruly passenger incident on its Dublin to Lanzarote flight on 9 April 2024.
The inflight disruption forced the aircraft to divert and make an emergency landing in Porto. On landing, local authorities subsequently arrested the problematic passenger.
The airline is now taking legal action against the passenger concerned. It is demanding €15,000 in compensation for expenses incurred during the incident. Amid the pending court action, Ryanair has called on EU authorities to implement restrictions on airport alcohol sales to passengers.

Ryanair Outlines Costs Incurred
The fallout from one single inflight disruption can be significant. In the case of the Ryanair April 2024 incident, a scheduled flight was forced to divert off-track. This in itself incurs significant cost.
Due to mandatory crew rest requirements, both the aircraft and its passengers were forced to overnight. More than 160 travelers and six crew members had to be accomodated for the night at Porto Airport. Ryanair covered all associated costs, including accommodation and meals.
The airline also needed to arrange an additional aircraft and crew to cover the schedule disruption. They had to cover the delayed return flight from Lanzarote to Dublin on the following day.

Ryanair €15,000 Compensation Claim
Recent discussions have centered around the €15,000 cost of this particular diversion, highlighting the significant financial impact of such incidents. A Ryanair spokesperson addressed the situation.
“These expenses were solely caused by the disruptive passenger’s actions. This necessitated the Porto diversion to ensure the safety of everyone on board. European governments consistently fail to address cases where disruptive passengers compromise aircraft safety and cause diversions.”
“In this instance, Portuguese authorities determined that since both the aircraft and passenger are Irish. As such, the case should be handled in Ireland. Consequently, Ryanair is initiating civil proceedings in Irish courts to recover these costs. These were directly attributed to the passenger’s disruptive behavior.”
“We urge EU authorities to implement restrictions on airport alcohol sales. While Ryanair already limits alcohol service on our flights, particularly in cases involving disruptive passengers. However, airport patrons can purchase and consume unlimited alcohol during flight delays.”
“We advocate for a two-drink limit per passenger, verified through boarding passes similar to duty-free purchase restrictions. This measure would significantly improve passenger behavior on aircraft and enhance travel safety for both passengers and crew members throughout Europe.”

The Growing Challenge of Passenger Disruptions
This incident highlights an escalating problem facing airlines across Europe. Air rage incidents have seen a marked increase since the resumption of regular flight schedules post-pandemic.
Airlines report that alcohol-related disruptions remain one of the most significant challenges to flight safety and passenger comfort. These incidents not only compromise safety but also result in substantial financial losses for airlines and severe inconvenience to other passengers.
Industry data suggests that disruptive passenger incidents cost European airlines an estimated €200 million annually, encompassing diversions, delays, and additional security measures.
Moreover, these incidents can often lead to trauma among cabin crew members, contributing to increased staff turnover and reduced job satisfaction.

Summary
The airline’s legal action represents a growing trend among carriers to recover costs from disruptive passengers, sending a clear message about the consequences of such behavior.
Aviation experts suggest that stricter regulations around airport alcohol sales, combined with more severe penalties for disruptive behavior, could help address this increasing problem.
The incident has also sparked renewed calls for a standardized European approach to handling disruptive passengers. As it stands, the current system of jurisdiction transfer between countries often leads to delayed justice and complicated legal proceedings.

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