Ryanair protests after armed policeman boarded flight
Ryanair has called on Spain to ban police officers from carrying guns onto domestic flights after an off-duty Spanish policeman boarded one of its aircraft while secretly carrying a firearm.
The airline reported the officer involved to the Spanish police following the incident, which it said was a clear breach of Ryanair’s regulations and endangered the safety of all 173 passengers on the flight.
Crew discovered the weapon before takeoff and the police officer was offloaded from the Spanish domestic flight.
Ryanair has formally complained to the Spanish Ambassador to Ireland, the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Spanish Government, demanding it change its "unsafe legislation" which allows police officers to carry guns on domestic flights, even when they are not on duty.
Spokesman Stephen McNamara said: "Passengers, including police officers or army personnel, are forbidden from bringing firearms onboard Irish-registered aircraft.
"Last week, a Spanish policeman boarded a Ryanair flight carrying a firearm. Ryanair has banned the passenger from travelling with Ryanair again. We have reported this safety breach to the Spanish Police and have lodged a complaint with the Spanish Ambassador to Ireland and the Department of Foreign Affairs.
"We have also complained to the Spanish Government, who we are urging to take measures to prevent a repeat of such instances."
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements