window.dotcom = window.dotcom || { cmd: [] }; window.dotcom.ads = window.dotcom.ads || { resolves: {enabled: [], getAdTag: []}, enabled: () => new Promise(r => window.dotcom.ads.resolves.enabled.push(r)), getAdTag: () => new Promise(r => window.dotcom.ads.resolves.getAdTag.push(r)) }; setTimeout(() => { if(window.dotcom.ads.resolves){ window.dotcom.ads.resolves.enabled.forEach(r => r(false)); window.dotcom.ads.resolves.getAdTag.forEach(r => r("")); window.dotcom.ads.enabled = () => new Promise(r => r(false)); window.dotcom.ads.getAdTag = () => new Promise(r => r("")); console.error("NGAS load timeout"); } }, 5000)
Skip to content

Ryanair sues 'unruly' enger over flight diversion

Vishala Sri-Pathma
Business reporter•@bbcvishalasp
Shuttershock A Ryanair Boeing 737 plane with logo saying its name is seen moving on the Tarmac at an unknown airportShuttershock

Ryanair is pursuing legal action against a enger who allegedly caused a major disruption on a flight from Dublin to Lanzarote.

The airline is seeking £12,500 in damages to cover expenses incurred when the plane had to divert to Porto, Portugal.

On Wednesday, the airline announced it had filed proceedings against the enger, whose behaviour on the flight last April was described as "inexcusable" and "completely unacceptable".

Ryanair stated that it will "continue to take decisive action to combat unruly enger behaviour on aircraft" in an effort to ensure the safety and comfort of all engers.

The airline said the enger's behaviour forced the flight in question to divert to Porto, where it was delayed overnight, and caused 160 engers to "face unnecessary disruption as well as losing a full day of their holiday".

The damages sought would cover the cost of overnight accommodation and other expenses for the engers affected by the diversion.

Announcing what the airline described as a "major clampdown", a spokesperson on the airline's website said: "It is unacceptable that engers - 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 enger's behaviour."

The airline added it hoped the civil proceedings in the Irish court would deter further disruptive behaviour on flights.

The enger has not been named.

Under EU laws, engers are entitled to compensation for flights within the EU that are cancelled or delayed by three hours or more.

Hotel accommodation must be offered free of charge if an overnight stay becomes necessary, as well as transport between the hotel and the airport along with a free meal and refreshments.

A enger who disrupted a Ryanair flight to Athens in 2020 was convicted last month in a Greek court and given a five-month suspended jail sentence, along with a €400 ($412) fine.

BBC News has asked Ryanair for comment on the details of the incident.