On Tuesday, 25 February 2023, a Ryanair flight from Cork, Ireland, to Tenerife South Airport was forced to request police assistance to remove a passenger exhibiting disruptive behaviour. The situation escalated approximately one hour before the flight's landing, when a female passenger began shouting and arguing with other holidaymakers, drawing attention from those on board.
Eyewitnesses reported that disturbances commenced with shouting, and it became evident that a confrontation was ongoing between the woman and fellow passengers. Speaking to the Irish Independent, a passenger recounted the scene, stating, "We didn't really notice anything until an hour before we landed when there was some shouting and then it appeared that a female was arguing with other passengers on board."
As the flight approached Tenerife, the cabin crew took precautionary measures by contacting local police at Tenerife South Airport to ensure assistance would be available upon landing. The Ryanair spokesperson confirmed that the police were present when the aircraft arrived, and the disruptive passenger was subsequently removed from the plane.
The airline reiterated its commitment to a "strict zero-tolerance policy towards passenger misconduct," emphasising the importance of maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all passengers and crew. “This is a matter for local police,” the Ryanair spokesperson stated, indicating that further actions regarding the incident now lie with the authorities.
Following the incident, witnesses noted that the woman continued her disruptive behaviour even after disembarking the aircraft, prompting local police to escort her away from the scene.
This incident occurred amid Ryanair's growing crackdown on passenger misconduct, which has included legal actions against unruly passengers. Just earlier this year, the airline announced it had initiated legal proceedings for damages exceeding €15,000 (£12,379) against a passenger whose behaviour forced a flight to divert to Porto, resulting in significant disruptions for fellow travellers.
The airline’s move to confront disruptive behaviour reflects an ongoing concern regarding air travel disruptions, particularly as holiday season approaches. Previous incidents, such as the forcible removal of a passenger claiming to be a UN diplomat from a flight from Lanzarote, demonstrate this proactive approach. Ryanair maintains that swift action against such behaviours is necessary to ensure that all passengers can enjoy their travels without unnecessary interruptions.
Source: Noah Wire Services