Northern Ireland

Ryanair criticised for aftermath of 'terrifying' emergency landing flight

Chris Radburn/PA Wire.
Chris Radburn/PA Wire. Chris Radburn/PA Wire.

Budget airline Ryanair is facing criticism after allegedly failing to assist injured passengers on a plane that performed an emergency landing in Germany after taking off from Dublin.

Dozens of passengers on-board the Dublin to Zadar, Croatia flight on Friday received hospital treatment after the plane was diverted to Frankfurt following rapid depressurisation in the cabin.

It was reported that several passengers suffered bleeding from the ears as a result of the incident, which saw oxygen masks deployed in the cabin as the aircraft descended.

In a statement, a Ryanair spokesperson said a “controlled descent” was initiated due to the depressurisation, adding: “The aircraft landed normally and customers disembarked, where a small number received medical attention as a precaution.”

Passengers described the incident as “terrifying”, with Roxanne Brownlee, of Dublin, describing afterwards in a post on social media how the aircraft “ jolted into a sudden plummet, icy air rushing through the cabin with sirens blaring 'emergency descent' on repeat”.

Another passenger told the Irish Times how they sat with the masks for 15 minutes, while some on-board screamed, before being told an emergency landing would take place in Germany.

However, following the landing, Ryanair failed to ensure passengers were taken care of ahead of a new flight from Frankfurt to Croatia the following day, according to some.

Adriana Costin, from Drogheda, wrote on a Facebook post: “Absolutely disgraceful to see how Ryanair dealt with our situation.”

Passenger Connor Brennan said that upon landing, Ryanair staff were “nowhere to be seen” while those injured were treated by airport staff and Red Cross members.

He said of the airline: “They displayed a shocking lack of empathy for their customers.”

Speaking of the aftermath of the flight, which saw the airline scramble to accommodate passengers overnight, the Ryanair spokesperson added: “Customers were provided with refreshment vouchers and hotel accommodation was authorised, however there was a shortage of available accommodation. Customers will board a replacement aircraft which will depart to Zadar this morning and Ryanair sincerely apologised for any inconvenience.”