Ryanair has announced that it has begun taking legal action to recover losses from disruptive passengers.
The airline described the policy as “a serious crackdown on misconduct”.
It said it had launched legal proceedings against a passenger in Ireland seeking €15,000 (£12,500) in damages related to the flight from Dublin to Lanzarote in April last year.
Ryanair contends the passenger’s behavior forced the flight to divert to Porto, where it was delayed overnight and caused the 160 passengers “to face unnecessary inconvenience and lose a full day of their holiday”.
The airline described the passenger’s behavior as “inexcusable” and “absolutely unacceptable”.
It said the figure of 15,000 euros comes from overnight accommodation costs, passenger costs and landing costs.
Ryanair said it was the first time it had brought a civil case against a disruptive passenger in Ireland.
The airline announced that it has a strict zero-tolerance policy for passenger misbehavior, adding that it will “continue to take strict measures against unruly passenger behavior on board”.
In August last year, Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary told the Daily Telegraph that a limit of two alcoholic drinks per passenger should be introduced in airline bars to combat disruption on flights.
Airline Jet2.com said it is already taking civil action against disruptive passengers.
In February 2017, the carrier claimed a court ruling in its favor after an angry, drunk passenger caused a flight from Glasgow to Ibiza to be diverted to Toulouse.
It is understood that easyJet’s policy is to pursue criminal prosecution and prevent disruptive passengers from future flights, rather than initiate legal proceedings.
Airlines are required to provide care to passengers during flight delays, which may include food, drinks and overnight accommodation.
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