Ryanair has introduced a €500 unruly passenger fine for anyone whose disruptive behaviour leads to removal from a flight. The move comes amid rising instances of antisocial conduct since the pandemic.
Background to the unruly passenger fine
Passenger misconduct has spiked recently, not just in restaurants or cinemas, but especially onboard aircraft. With over 200 million travellers carried between 2024 and 2025, Ryanair says the new penalty is essential to restore safety for passengers and crew.
“It’s unacceptable for one disruptive person to cause unnecessary delays and distress,” a spokesperson commented.
What does this mean for travellers
- Minimum €500 fine charged automatically to the booking payment method.
- Unruly passenger fine ensures fast response with no need for manual billing.
- Bans extended: repeat trouble‑makers get no‑fly orders.
- Legal consequences: severe cases, like diversions, may carry fines up to €15,000 or court action.
Incidents prompting the change
- A €15,000 claim followed a Dublin‑to‑Lanzarote flight diverted due to unruly behaviour.
- Another passenger was fined €3,230 after an altercation on a Glasgow‐Kraków service.
The Irish Aviation Authority reports a significant surge in passenger misbehaviour. Complaints at Dublin Airport nearly doubled in early 2025 compared to the entirety of 2024.
Support is growing for tighter alcohol restrictions in airports. Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has backed proposals to curb pre‐flight drinking, noting that “these isolated events can impact hundreds of people.”
With the unruly passenger fine, Ryanair means business. “Disruptive behaviour will not be tolerated,” the airline states.
As summer travel picks up, this new policy may deter problem passengers and reduce costly flight delays and diversions.
Bottom line: A €500 minimum unruly passenger fine is Ryanair’s latest tool to clamp down on disruptive behaviour, safeguard crew and passengers, and ensure smooth operations. With automatic fee collection and zero tolerance, the airline hopes this stringent measure will reshape in-flight etiquette.
