Ryanair files criminal case against disruptive passenger in Spain

James Cox

Ryanair has initiated a private criminal prosecution through the Spanish courts against a passenger who disrupted flight FR2001 from Lanzarote to Santiago on January 17th.

The passenger’s "inexcusable behaviour caused a 40-minute departure delay and unnecessary disruption to 137 passengers", Ryanair claimed.

The passenger, who claimed to be a UN diplomat with “diplomatic immunity”, allegedly attempted to take a seat that was not assigned to him and became verbally abusive when crew asked to see his boarding card. He was removed from the flight by the Guardia Civil.

This is the latest case after the airline announced a policy of pursuing legal action against passengers who cause disruption to flights.

A Ryanair spokesperson said: “It is unacceptable that passengers, many of whom are on a family holiday, are suffering unnecessary delay as a result of one unruly passenger’s behaviour. Yet this was regrettably the case for passengers on this flight from Lanzarote to Santiago in January, during which a disruptive passenger caused a departure delay due to his misconduct.

"We have initiated a private criminal prosecution against this passenger, in which the court may impose a sentence of 3-12 months imprisonment or a fine of 6-18 months’ salary. These are just some of the potential consequences under Ryanair's zero tolerance policy for passengers who disrupt flights.

"We hope this example will deter further disruptive behaviour on Ryanair flights, so that passengers and crew can travel in a comfortable and respectful environment as is their right.”