A Ryanair passenger who was partially pulled from an aircraft window during a mid-air emergency has alleged that the airline's response has been limited to rebooking his flight. Ljubisa Karovic, 61, sustained neck and shoulder injuries after a window on flight FR1879 from Thessaloniki, Greece, to Memmingen, Germany, ruptured at 20,000 feet on 10 July 2026.
Mr Karovic, a Serbian businessman now wearing a neck brace, told the Daily Mail that despite the severity of the incident, he has not been directly contacted by Ryanair officials. He stated, "All we’ve had is emails to my son, who booked our flights, asking if we want to rebook and asking how I was. But nobody from the company has contacted me directly, not even a phone call to show any concern.” His wife, Svetlana Grković, described the terrifying ordeal, claiming she had to repeatedly pull her husband back into the plane as he lost consciousness. She also alleged that crew members appeared frightened and did not actively assist passengers who were struggling to hold onto Mr Karovic.
The Boeing 737 aircraft was forced to return to Thessaloniki airport following the incident. Upon landing, medical personnel and an ambulance were on standby, transporting Mr Karovic to hospital for treatment. Fellow passengers on board reportedly described hearing a loud 'bang' similar to a tyre bursting just before the window gave way, creating a harrowing experience for everyone on the flight.
Ryanair has declined to comment directly on Mr Karovic's specific claims, citing an ongoing investigation into the incident. However, in a previous statement to the media, Ryanair’s Group Chief Financial Officer, Neil Sorahan, defended the airline's actions and praised the crew. Mr Sorahan stated, “Our customer care team have actively been in touch with the family since the incident. Our crew did a phenomenal job and got the aircraft back to Thessaloniki. Everyone, bar none, walked off the aircraft. It was a great job done by the cabin crew and the pilots.”
The incident raises questions about passenger safety protocols and airline response in emergency situations. For UK travellers planning flights, particularly with budget airlines, understanding travel insurance coverage for unexpected events and potential disruptions is crucial. While incidents of this nature are exceedingly rare, they highlight the importance of being prepared for unforeseen circumstances during air travel. The Greek Civil Aviation Authority and German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation would likely be involved in the ongoing investigation alongside Ryanair.