A man has been fined €2,000 by a Maltese court after smoking onboard a Ryanair flight from Cologne to Malta and refusing to follow crew instructions.

The incident took place on flight FR5205 on 22nd March 2025. The disruptive passenger pleaded guilty in court earlier this week.

Ryanair, which operates the flight, has welcomed the court’s decision, calling it a strong message against unruly behaviour onboard aircraft.

“It is unacceptable that passengers, many of whom are travelling with young families, are forced to suffer unnecessary disruption because of one unruly passenger’s behaviour,” a Ryanair spokesperson said.

The airline reaffirmed its strict zero tolerance policy on misconduct and said it would continue to take firm action against any passengers who compromise the safety or comfort of others on board.

This includes enforcing travel bans, supporting police investigations, and pursuing civil damages where appropriate.

Ryanair emphasised its ongoing commitment to maintaining a respectful and safe environment for both passengers and crew, adding that while these situations are rare, they require serious consequences to prevent future incidents.

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