A Scottish court has sentenced a Ryanair passenger to 225 hours of community service, after unruly behaviour that forced the flight to return to its airport of origin.
The decision comes as part of a tougher policy against unruly behaviour on board.
The incident occurred in the summer of 2024, during a flight departing from Edinburgh, UK. The passenger, already visibly intoxicated, smoked on board, consumed his own alcohol, and threateningly addressed crew members and other passengers.
The situation, classified as “undisciplined behaviour” by the court, led to the decision to turn the plane around and return to the starting point, causing delays for the 178 passengers and six crew members.
Zero tolerance policy
Ryanair expressed satisfaction with the ruling handed down more than a year after the incident, noting that it maintains a "zero-tolerance policy" regarding disruptions to its flights. In a statement, the company reiterated that it will continue to take action to combat these types of situations, ensuring a comfortable environment without unnecessary interruptions.
The Irish airline hopes this case will serve as an example, deterring similar behaviour and minimizing embarrassment for passengers and crew.
Fines for future cases
In addition to fulfilling the community service hours imposed by the court, the company introduced a minimum fine of €586 (£500) for passengers expelled for misconduct. This amount, which came into effect on June 12th 2025, may increase depending on the severity of the incident or any delays caused.
Ryanair believes that, although rare, these incidents have a negative impact on punctuality and the travel experience. Therefore, it intends for financial penalties to serve as a warning to potential offenders.
It's worth noting that, by combining judicial and internal sanctions, the company seeks to reinforce compliance with onboard rules and safeguard everyone's well-being. These measures are intended to make it clear that disruptive behaviour will not be tolerated.
Source https://postal.pt/
