Ryanair has confirmed it has initiated private criminal proceedings through the Spanish courts against a passenger who caused disruptions on flight FR2001, which was traveling from Lanzarote to Santiago on January 17.
According to the ultra-low-cost airline, the passenger's actions resulted in a 40-minute delay in the flight's departure, disrupting the experience of 137 passengers. The individual, who claimed to be a UN diplomat with "diplomatic immunity", attempted to occupy an unassigned seat and became verbally aggressive when the crew asked to see his boarding pass. The passenger was ultimately removed from the flight by the Civil Guard.
Ryanair's Zero-Tolerance Policy on Disruptive Behavior
Ryanair emphasized its zero-tolerance policy toward disruptive passenger behavior.
"It is unacceptable that passengers, many of whom were on family vacations, suffer an unnecessary delay due to the actions of one disruptive individual," said a spokesperson for Ryanair. The airline added that the criminal action against the passenger could result in a prison sentence ranging from three to twelve months, or a fine equivalent to six to eighteen months' salary, under the airline's policy.
The airline hopes this legal action will serve as a deterrent and help prevent similar disruptive behavior in the future, ensuring a respectful travel environment for both passengers and crew.
Previous Legal Action Against a Passenger
Earlier this year, Ryanair also filed a civil lawsuit against a passenger to recover €15,000 for the cost of diverting a flight from Dublin to Lanzarote to Porto.
On that occasion, the ultra-low-cost carrier went a step further by publicly detailing how it arrived at the amount for the lawsuit, breaking down each cost item:
- Excess fuel costs for diverting the flight: €800
- Accommodation for passengers and crew: €7,000
- Landing and handling fees at Porto Airport: €2,500
- Lost sales on board: €750
- Legal costs in Portugal: €2,500
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