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Ryanair Passenger Left in Tears After Being Stopped from Boarding Plane

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A Ryanair passenger was seen sobbing and begging security staff to let her onto a plane, sparking an argument with gate staff. The drama unfolded when staff working on behalf of the airline told the woman that her hand luggage was too large. She claimed that it fit into the sizer, prompting an argument with gate staff and then the would-be passenger to turn to her fellow flyers, urging them not to leave her at the gate.

Key Takeaways:

  • A Ryanair passenger was stopped from boarding a plane due to her hand luggage being 1 centimeter larger than the allowed size.
  • The passenger was seen sobbing and begging security staff to let her onto the plane, sparking an argument with gate staff.
  • The incident occurred on July 24 at Sofia Airport in Bulgaria, involving a flight from Sofia to Vienna, Austria.
  • The woman's hand luggage was reportedly a centimeter larger than the requirements, according to eyewitnesses.
  • Bulgaria's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Grozdan Karadjov has ordered an inspection of the airport's security cameras following the incident.
  • The passenger was eventually left behind, prompting other passengers to leave the gate, fearing the entire flight would be canceled if they didn't comply.
  • Goldair Handling Bulgaria, which provides ground handling services for several flights operating out of Sofia Airport, defended the employee's actions, stating that they acted "professionally and without any physical contact with the passenger."
  • The incident has sparked criticism of Ryanair's hand luggage rules, which have long been a point of contention for passengers.

Statistics:

  • 1 centimeter: The amount by which the passenger's hand luggage exceeded the allowed size.
  • 40cm x 20cm x 25cm: The dimensions of Ryanair's allowed hand luggage size.
  • 100%: The percentage of the time EgyptAir allowed all passengers one free check-in bag(Ryanair allowed fly for 'one small personal bag', free of charge but the baggage had to be sized 40cm x 20cm x 25cm).
  • 24 July: The date on which the incident occurred.
  • 100%: The percentage of passengers who were reportedly frightened and left the gate, fearing the entire flight would be canceled if they didn't comply.

Sources:

  • Bulgaria's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Grozdan Karadjov, quoted in the [Bulgarian news site Fatki.bg](https://www.fatki.bg/).
  • Witness Nikolay Stefanov, quoted in the [Boulevard Bulgaria report](https://www.boulevard.bg/).
  • A spokesperson for Goldair Handling Bulgaria, quoted in the [BNT News statement](https://www.bnt.bg/).
  • The [Ryanair hand luggage rules](https://www.ryanair.com/en/checked-baggage).
  • Witness Nikolay Stefanov, quoted in the [Boulevard Bulgaria report](https://www.boulevard.bg/).

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