Ryanair Criticizes UK CAA After 177 Passengers Stranded in Faro

Ryanair has strongly criticized the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for refusing to allow a rescue flight operated by its Irish subsidiary, Ryanair DAC, to transport 177 stranded passengers from Faro to Manchester after a flight was diverted due to a disruptive passenger and subsequent technical issues. The CAA’s decision, which Ryanair described as 'unlawful and arbitrary,' resulted in passengers being stranded overnight and has prompted the airline to threaten legal action. Ryanair argues that the CAA’s regulatory red tape harms passengers and undermines operational flexibility, blaming post-Brexit restrictions for complicating intra-group rescue operations. The CAA, in its response, highlighted that Ryanair UK operates with fewer UK-registered aircraft than required for its schedule, suggesting the airline’s fleet allocation decisions contributed to the disruption. The dispute underscores ongoing tensions around post-Brexit aviation regulations, with Ryanair calling for intervention from the UK government to ease such restrictions. Both sides accuse each other of prioritizing bureaucracy over passenger welfare.