Search icon

News

22nd Jan 2014

Ryanair passengers reportedly start looting after unscheduled stop in Madrid

We’ve all got a bit cross with the major airlines from time to time, but this is a bit much.

Tony Cuddihy

We’ve all got a bit cross with the major airlines from time to time, but this is a bit much.

Passengers aboard a Ryanair flight from Rabat in Morocco to Paris reportedly started looting after the plane was delayed by a sick passenger.

After stopping in Madrid while the customer received medical assistance, an announcement was made that the plane would land in Nantes instead and passengers would be taken to Paris the following morning by bus, instead of breaking night-time noise restrictions at Beauvais.

This did not go down at all well with the 170 people on board, who reportedly abused staff and stole duty free products.

A Nantes airport employee told Metronews: “They pillaged the aircraft for food, drinks – especially alcoholic drinks – cigarettes and perfumes, anything of any value.

“They behaved like animals towards the plane, the crew and members of the airport’s ground staff.”

The passengers had a different version of events, however.

“We were tired, on edge, because the situation was badly managed, we were hungry and thirsty and no one was giving us any information.

“After seven hours locked in a plane – instead of the scheduled two-and-a-half – people need to eat. We simply helped ourselves.”

Ryanair said reports in the French press were ‘inaccurate’.

A spokesperson added: “There was no mutiny on arrival in Nantes, passengers were provided with overnight hotel accommodation and were transferred by coach to Paris Beauvais the following morning, in line with Ryanair’s policies and obligations.

“Ryanair apologised sincerely to all passengers affected by this delay.”

The airline insisted that no mutiny took place upon arrival in Nantes.

“There was no mutiny on arrival in Nantes, passengers were provided with overnight hotel accommodation and were transferred by coach to Paris Beauvais the following morning, in line with Ryanair’s policies and obligations.

“Ryanair apologised sincerely to all passengers affected by this delay.”

(Hat-tip: Independent.co.uk)

Topics:

Ryanair