Ryanair has announced it has begun legal action to recover losses from disruptive passengers.
The airline described the policy as a “major approach to misconduct”.
It said it has initiated legal proceedings against a passenger in Ireland seeking 15,000 euros (£12,500) in damages in connection with a flight from Dublin to Lanzarote in April last year.
Ryanair claims the passenger's behavior forced the flight to divert to Porto, where the flight was delayed overnight and caused 160 passengers to experience “unnecessary disruption and lose a full day of their holiday”.
The airline described the passenger's behavior as “inexcusable” and “completely unacceptable”.
It said the amount of 15,000 euros comes from the cost of overnight stays, passenger fees and landing fees.
Ryanair said it is the first time it has brought a civil case against a disruptive passenger in Ireland.
The airline stated that it has a strict zero-tolerance policy towards passenger misconduct, adding that it will “continue to take decisive action to combat unruly passenger behavior on aircraft”.
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 airport bars to tackle disorder on flights.
Airline Jet2.com said it is already taking civil action against disruptive passengers.
In February 2017, the airline said a court judgment had been granted in its favor after an aggressive, drunken passenger caused a flight from Glasgow to Ibiza to be diverted to Toulouse.
It is understood that easyJet's policy is to push for criminal prosecution and ban disruptive passengers from future flights, rather than initiating civil proceedings.
Airlines are required to provide passengers with care during flight delays, including food, drinks and overnight accommodation.
