Ryanair CEO Denies Passenger Was Sucked Out of Plane Window

Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has disputed claims that a passenger was partially sucked out of a plane window during a July flight from Greece to Germany. O’Leary said the passenger was pulled toward the damaged window by the sudden pressure change but insisted that no part of his body actually left the aircraft.

The incident occurred on July 10 after a window on the Boeing 737-800 shattered during the flight. Preliminary information from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board indicates that fragments from an engine failure damaged the aircraft, including the window where the passenger was seated. The plane subsequently returned safely to Greece.

The passenger, identified as Ljubisa Karović, reportedly suffered injuries during the incident. His legal representatives have maintained that he was partially pulled toward and through the opening during the loss of cabin pressure, while O’Leary has challenged that account and said the passenger remained in his seat.

O’Leary acknowledged that the passenger is entitled to compensation but rejected suggestions that the incident should result in an extremely large payout. Ryanair has said it intends to contest the passenger’s version of events and is waiting for the findings of the ongoing investigation before the dispute is resolved.

The incident remains under investigation, meaning the final circumstances have not yet been established. The disagreement highlights the importance of allowing aviation investigators to determine what happened before definitive conclusions are reached about the passenger’s experience, the aircraft damage and any potential liability.