Ryanair awarded €15,000 damages over passenger misconduct that forced diversion

Ryanair has secured a court judgment for more than €15,000 plus legal costs against an Irish passenger whose alleged disruptive behaviour forced a Dublin–Lanzarote flight to divert to Porto in April 2024.

The airline claimed the passenger’s conduct caused significant disruption for 160 passengers, requiring an overnight delay and generating costs linked to accommodation, passenger care, and landing fees. After the defendant failed to respond to the proceedings, Dublin Circuit Civil Court entered judgment in Ryanair’s favour in February 2026.

Ryanair said the case reflects its zero-tolerance approach to unruly behaviour onboard and follows another recent court victory in France involving disruptive passengers on a Stansted–Ibiza flight.

Separately, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary called for tighter alcohol restrictions at airports, including a proposed two-drink limit, arguing that disruptive passenger incidents have risen sharply and now force nearly one Ryanair diversion per day.