Ryanair flight diverted to Ostend, passengers left without assistance

Passengers on Sunday’s Ryanair flight FR3659 from Milan Bergamo to Brussels South Charleroi Airport (Boeing 737-800 registered 9H-QCH) were left stranded overnight after their delayed service was diverted to Ostend-Bruges International Airport, where it landed at 00:45, sparking complaints over a lack of information and assistance.

The flight, initially scheduled for 19:40, departed more than three hours late due to adverse weather conditions and, in view of night curfew restrictions at Charleroi, was unable to land there after 23:00. It was instead rerouted to Ostend.

Passengers reported poor communication throughout the journey, including:

• No updates during the delay
• A three-hour wait on board without information
• Late notice of the diversion mid-flight

Upon arrival in Ostend, travellers said they were left to arrange their own onward transport, with no immediate support from the airline.

Charleroi Airport confirmed that night-time operating restrictions limit arrivals after 23:00, with exemptions granted only in exceptional cases for planes based at the local airport. However, it stressed that airlines are responsible for ensuring passengers reach their final destination, including arranging transfers in case of diversion.

Consumer organisation Testachats echoed this, noting that passengers forced to make their own arrangements may be entitled to reimbursement or compensation.

Ryanair provided the following statement to Aviation24.be:

“This flight from Milan Bergamo to Brussels Charleroi (19 Apr) was delayed prior to departure due to Thunderstorms at Milan Bergamo Airport and subsequently diverted to Ostend due to a strict curfew at Brussels Charleroi Airport.

Passengers booked on this flight received communications via email, PUSH notifications and subsequent updates via the Ryanair app. Despite Ryanair’s efforts to arrange alternative transport, availability of transport was limited, and passengers were advised that they could also arrange individual transport from Ostend to Brussels Charleroi and that they could claim back expenses on Ryanair.com.”

Bottom line: While the diversion itself was due to airport curfew rules, the incident highlights potential shortcomings in passenger care obligations, with Ryanair facing criticism over its handling of the situation.