Ryanair has vowed to take legal action against passengers whose disruptive behaviour results in flight diversions, with the airline currently seeking €15,000 in damages from a passenger who forced a Dublin to Lanzarote flight to land in Porto (Portugal).
The airline's CEO, Michael O’Leary, has issued a stark warning that this will not be an isolated case. Speaking to Sky News, he confirmed that Ryanair intends to pursue legal claims in future to recoup the costs incurred from such incidents.
"If passengers continue disrupting our flights, we will sue you for the cost of those diversions and those disruptions," O'Leary stated.
Flight diversions result in significant additional expenses for airlines, including extra fuel, airport handling fees, and sometimes hotel accommodation for other passengers affected by the disruption.
Calls for Stricter Airport Alcohol Limits
Following the Porto diversion, O’Leary has renewed calls for stricter controls on alcohol sales in airports, urging authorities to introduce measures similar to those applied to duty-free purchases.
A Ryanair spokesperson reinforced this stance, stating:
"It is time that EU authorities take action to limit the sale of alcohol at airports. We fail to understand why passengers at airports are not limited to two alcoholic drinks (using their boarding pass in exactly the same way they limit duty-free sales), as this would result in safer and better passenger behaviour on board aircraft and a safer travel experience for passengers and crews all over Europe."
Increase in Flight Disruptions Since 2020
Concerns over disruptive passenger behaviour have been growing. According to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), there has been a notable increase in the number and severity of flight disturbances since 2020.
Meanwhile, data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) shows that one in every 480 flights worldwide was disrupted in 2023, an increase from one in 568 flights in 2022. While no official figures exist on how many of these incidents were alcohol-related, industry experts believe it is a key contributing factor.
Ryanair’s tough stance signals a potential shift in how airlines deal with unruly passengers, as they seek to curb disorderly behaviour and minimise operational disruptions. The debate over alcohol restrictions at airports is likely to intensify, with growing pressure on European authorities to take action.
