Ryanair charged ill passenger for tea and biscuits as he feared heart attack
Rich tea: The ill passenger was charged for his recuperative refreshment.
EXCLUSIVE: Kenny Hodgart
10 Oct 2010
Ryanair – the airline that considered making you pay to use the onboard toilet – charged a man for tea and biscuits shortly after he fell unconscious and had to be attended by doctors, who feared he was having a heart attack.
Eye-witnesses on the plane told the Sunday Herald that the man, in his fifties, took ill almost an hour before the Ryanair flight from Marseille was due to land at Edinburgh Airport.
Two doctors on board responded to a distress call from cabin staff, but were to the told the only medical equipment on board comprised anti-sickness drugs and some bandages.
After regaining consciousness, the passenger – whose condition was then found to be not as grave as had been feared – was instructed to take some refreshment. His wife was then charged for tea and a biscuit.
“The doctors asked if there was a defibrillator, to which the reply was, ‘No’,” a witness said. “There were no blankets either, and other passengers had to volunteer their own jackets to keep the man warm.
“As he appeared to be making some recovery, the guy was advised to take some refreshment, which his wife was charged for.
“She only had a €20 note so they even took her money and came back with the change about ten minutes later. It seemed very uncaring.”
Ryanair refused to comment on the incident or to answer general questions regarding company policy on on-board medical equipment or medical emergencies.
Jonathan Nicholson, of the Civil Aviation Authority, said: “In terms of Ryanair charging for stuff in a situation like this, that’s purely between the passenger and Ryanair; it’s not something that’s even regulated.
“As for what medical equipment is carried on board an aircraft, there are specific requirements set out for the whole of Europe, but it’s pretty basic equipment. Airlines can carry defibrillators if they want to, but it is not mandatory. If an airline wants to carry more equipment, then that’s up to them.”
Ireland’s Commission for Aviation Regulation declined to comment.
A Consumer Focus Scotland spokesperson said: “Customers have the right to expect service providers to prioritise their health and wellbeing when using their services.
“This should certainly include providing appropriate care and consideration to customers when they experience medical or other emergencies.”
In the summer, Ryanair announced it may phase in toilet charges on their flights. The industry leader in budget air travel already charges for paying with most types of credit or debit card, for carrying hold luggage, and for online or airport check-in.
Moreover, a recent study showed low-cost airlines in general charge 374% more for snacks than they would cost in the supermarket.
Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary once said: “At the moment the ice is free, but if we could find a way of targeting a price on it, we would.”
More recently, he floated the idea of getting rid of co-pilots. He said there was no need for a back-up to the chief pilot, declaring “let the bloody computer fly it [the plane]”.
(The Herald - Scotland)
Rich tea: The ill passenger was charged for his recuperative refreshment.
EXCLUSIVE: Kenny Hodgart
10 Oct 2010
Ryanair – the airline that considered making you pay to use the onboard toilet – charged a man for tea and biscuits shortly after he fell unconscious and had to be attended by doctors, who feared he was having a heart attack.
Eye-witnesses on the plane told the Sunday Herald that the man, in his fifties, took ill almost an hour before the Ryanair flight from Marseille was due to land at Edinburgh Airport.
Two doctors on board responded to a distress call from cabin staff, but were to the told the only medical equipment on board comprised anti-sickness drugs and some bandages.
After regaining consciousness, the passenger – whose condition was then found to be not as grave as had been feared – was instructed to take some refreshment. His wife was then charged for tea and a biscuit.
“The doctors asked if there was a defibrillator, to which the reply was, ‘No’,” a witness said. “There were no blankets either, and other passengers had to volunteer their own jackets to keep the man warm.
“As he appeared to be making some recovery, the guy was advised to take some refreshment, which his wife was charged for.
“She only had a €20 note so they even took her money and came back with the change about ten minutes later. It seemed very uncaring.”
Ryanair refused to comment on the incident or to answer general questions regarding company policy on on-board medical equipment or medical emergencies.
Jonathan Nicholson, of the Civil Aviation Authority, said: “In terms of Ryanair charging for stuff in a situation like this, that’s purely between the passenger and Ryanair; it’s not something that’s even regulated.
“As for what medical equipment is carried on board an aircraft, there are specific requirements set out for the whole of Europe, but it’s pretty basic equipment. Airlines can carry defibrillators if they want to, but it is not mandatory. If an airline wants to carry more equipment, then that’s up to them.”
Ireland’s Commission for Aviation Regulation declined to comment.
A Consumer Focus Scotland spokesperson said: “Customers have the right to expect service providers to prioritise their health and wellbeing when using their services.
“This should certainly include providing appropriate care and consideration to customers when they experience medical or other emergencies.”
In the summer, Ryanair announced it may phase in toilet charges on their flights. The industry leader in budget air travel already charges for paying with most types of credit or debit card, for carrying hold luggage, and for online or airport check-in.
Moreover, a recent study showed low-cost airlines in general charge 374% more for snacks than they would cost in the supermarket.
Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary once said: “At the moment the ice is free, but if we could find a way of targeting a price on it, we would.”
More recently, he floated the idea of getting rid of co-pilots. He said there was no need for a back-up to the chief pilot, declaring “let the bloody computer fly it [the plane]”.
(The Herald - Scotland)
