A South American Ryanair passenger attacked an airport employee at Palma de Mallorca on February 7 after being charged for oversized baggage.
Flight Delayed Due to Passenger Incident
A flight to Madrid was delayed on Sunday, February 7, due to one passenger. In the check-in area at Palma de Mallorca airport, carry-on baggage dimensions were being meticulously checked. A Ryanair passenger from South America was informed he needed to pay an additional fee for baggage exceeding the allowed dimensions. The man reacted aggressively, resulting in the flight to Madrid being delayed.
Passenger Attacks Staff, Chaos Erupts
The passenger began berating staff, and the conversation escalated into an argument. At a certain point, physical contact occurred. According to witness accounts, the passenger struck the employee multiple times in the face, causing serious injuries, including the loss of several teeth. He then headbutted the employee, who began to bleed. Chaos erupted in the check-in area as some passengers fled in panic while others recorded the incident on their phones. Civil Guard officers arrived to find aggressive passenger restrained by security. The man also sustained injuries, was taken to a hospital, and subsequently arrested. The injured employee received medical attention.
“It Ended in Bloodshed”
Airport employees stated such incidents are not isolated and point to the strict baggage policies of low-cost airlines, which often create extremely tense situations. “Arguments and threats happen daily. Today it ended in bloodshed,” one security officer said.
