Ryanair will dispute passenger’s claim he was sucked out of window

Ryanair has confirmed it will contest claims that a passenger was partially “sucked out of a window” during a flight in July, as the airline’s chief executive, Michael O’Leary, dismissed the account of the injured traveler and emphasized the need for an ongoing investigation.

The incident occurred on a Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki, Greece, to Memmingen, Germany, on July 10, when a cabin window shattered, leaving 61-year-old Serbian businessman Ljubisa Karović with neck and shoulder injuries. Karović’s lawyer described the event as a “mid-flight horror” in which the passenger’s head and right arm were partially pulled through the broken window due to sudden depressurization. However, O’Leary, speaking after Ryanair’s annual meeting in Dublin, insisted the passenger was “certainly sucked towards the window, but he didn’t get out the window.”

“He wasn’t partially out the window,” O’Leary said, adding, “No, no, no. Part of his face didn’t get out the window.” The airline’s CEO reiterated that Karović was “belted into the seat” and that Ryanair would “dispute that he or any part of his anatomy will bend out the window.” While acknowledging the passenger’s injuries, O’Leary stressed the airline was “not trying to downplay it” but emphasized the need to await the findings of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is leading the investigation.

The NTSB’s preliminary report identified a fractured engine fan blade as the cause of the window’s destruction, with debris from the broken blade striking the cabin. O’Leary noted that the focus of the investigation is on why the engine failed to contain the fractured blade within its cowl, a technical issue that has raised concerns about aircraft safety. Ryanair has not yet implemented any fixes, stating it is “a participant in the investigation with Boeing, with the NTSB, with GE on the engine side.”

Passenger’s Account Contrasts with Airline’s Denial

Karović’s wife, Svetlana Grković Maksimović, described the ordeal as “horrible,” stating her husband was “half in and out of the plane” during the incident. She credited an unidentified passenger — believed to be Albanian — for attempting to pull Karović back into the cabin and temporarily block the broken window with a bag and suitcase. “He did all he could to bring him in and then tried to block the window,” she said, adding that the suitcase “worked” before being sucked out.

Karović himself told the Guardian he was “still strapped in” with his seatbelt during the event, though he reported losing consciousness multiple times. The airline has not provided further details on his condition or the extent of his recovery.

O’Leary’s statements reflect a broader pattern of the airline’s approach to such incidents, where it often disputes claims of passenger harm while emphasizing technical investigations. The CEO also addressed unrelated controversies, including his criticism of air traffic control provider Nats over recent flight disruptions. He accused Nats of “telling lies to save his own skin” following a spurious flight plan that caused widespread cancellations, though Nats denied the allegations, stating the issue was distinct from previous outages.

Legal and Financial Implications

Ryanair’s legal team is in contact with Karović’s lawyer, with O’Leary acknowledging the passenger “was entitled to some compensation.” However, he dismissed the possibility of a class-action lawsuit or “millions and millions” in payouts, stating there was “no basis” for such claims. The airline has not yet commented on the specific compensation sought by Karović’s legal team.

The incident also intersected with internal corporate developments. At the same annual meeting where O’Leary addressed the window incident, about a third of shareholders voted against his €150m pay package, which includes share options contingent on profit and share price targets. The deal was approved by a 2-1 margin, but the dissent highlights growing scrutiny of the CEO’s leadership and compensation structure.

O’Leary’s remarks on competitors, where he referred to them as “high-fare rapists”, fueled further controversy, though he defended the language as “absolutely” appropriate. The comments underscored his long-standing public feud with rival airlines, which he has often criticized for higher fares and lower service standards.

Investigation and Safety Concerns

The NTSB’s investigation is expected to take several months, with preliminary findings pointing to the engine failure as the root cause. However, the airline’s response has raised questions about its transparency and accountability. O’Leary’s insistence that no part of Karović’s body exited the aircraft contrasts with the passenger’s account, raising unresolved questions about the severity of the incident and the effectiveness of safety protocols.

The case also highlights the challenges of balancing passenger safety with corporate interests. While Ryanair’s denial of the “sucked out” claim may aim to limit liability, it risks undermining trust in the airline’s commitment to transparency. As the NTSB’s final report approaches, the outcome could have significant implications for both the airline’s reputation and broader industry safety regulations.

The next major development will be the NTSB’s final report, expected in the coming months, which could clarify the incident’s causes and determine whether Ryanair faces regulatory or legal consequences. Meanwhile, the airline’s ongoing disputes with regulators and competitors, coupled with internal shareholder tensions, suggest the fallout from this incident will extend beyond the immediate safety concerns.