Ryanair CEO issues warning to passengers saying they ‘will be sued’

Ryanair’s CEO Michael O’Leary has issued a warning to disruptive passengers, saying “we will sue” if their flight has to be diverted.

The budget airline boss told Sky News: “If passengers continue disrupting our flights, we will sue you for the cost of those disruptions.” He then renewed calls for limits on alcoholic drinks at airports.

Speaking later on Sky’s Politics Hub with Sophy Ridge, he said: "Airports are still the only places where there are no licensing laws. You could be buying pints at 6am in the morning. Who needs to be drinking pints at 6am in the morning?”

He added: "We're trying to be a bit more sensible. Just behave. We don't allow you to drink and drive. All we're saying is drink a little less before you fly, and then let everybody have a better flight experience."

Earlier this month Ryanair issued fresh calls for the number of alcoholic drinks served at airport bars to be limited to two per passenger. Michael O’Leary first made the suggestion in August last year as he reported an increase in disorder on flights.

A Ryanair spokesperson said: “It is time that European Union authorities take action to limit the sale of alcohol at airports. Airlines like Ryanair already restrict and limit the sale of alcohol on board our aircraft, particularly in disruptive passenger cases.

“However, during flight delays, passengers are consuming excess alcohol at airports without any limit on purchase or consumption.

“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.”

Michael O’Leary’s recent statements come after the airline revealed earlier this month that it had filed civil legal proceedings against a passenger in Ireland to seek 15,000 euros (£12,600) in damages related to a flight from Dublin to Lanzarote which diverted to Porto in April last year. Ryanair contends the passenger’s behaviour caused the diversion.

It said the 15,000 euros consists of costs such as overnight accommodation for the more than 160 passengers and six crew members (7,000 euros or £5,900), Porto Airport landing and handling fees (2,500 euros or £2,100) and Portuguese legal fees (2,500 euros or £2,100).

More than 20 airports in the UK, including Manchester, support the government-endorsed ‘One Too Many’ campaign, which reminds passengers of the serious consequences of disruptive behaviour while flying.

The penalties include:

• Lifetime Ban: Causing a flight to be cancelled could result in a lifetime flying ban with the carrier.
• Jail Time: Disrupting a flight could lead to up to two years in prison.
• Hefty Fines: Delaying a flight could incur a fine of £5,000, while causing an incident mid-air could result in a maximum diversion fee of £80,000.
• Denied Boarding: Passengers deemed unfit to fly will be denied boarding

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