Ryanair has found itself in hot water following an incident where passengers were stuck on a flight from Faro to Dublin for up to 15 hours without receiving complimentary water. The flight, originally scheduled for a short three-hour journey, faced numerous diversions and failed landing attempts due to the severe weather caused by Storm Ashley, a storm that disrupted flights across Ireland and the UK. Ultimately, the flight was diverted to Manchester and later Birmingham before finally returning to Dublin late at night.
Gerald Gallen, a passenger on the flight, detailed the ordeal to The Irish Times. According to him, despite being stuck on the plane for hours, passengers were charged for refreshments. “At no stage in this 15-hour on-board experience did Ryanair offer or provide so much as a bottle of water to a passenger free of charge,” Gallen said. He also noted that, at one point, the plane ran out of food, water, and even toilet paper. When restocked in Birmingham, only 10 sandwiches were loaded, and the airline continued to charge for everything on board.
In response to the backlash, Ryanair issued a statement apologizing for the delays but defending its decision not to provide free food or drinks. The airline emphasized that passengers are not entitled to complimentary refreshments during delays caused by weather or other factors beyond the airline’s control. The spokesperson also acknowledged the hard work of the airline’s crews during the difficult situation, thanking them for their efforts to return passengers safely to Dublin.
Storm Ashley disrupted not only this flight but others, with several flights destined for Cork and Dublin being diverted to Shannon Airport. Many passengers expressed frustration at feeling stranded and having limited transportation options after landing at alternative airports. While safety remained Ryanair’s primary focus, the airline’s refusal to offer complimentary refreshments during such an extraordinary delay has sparked widespread criticism from travelers and onlookers alike.
