Dozens of passengers were left stranded at Lisbon Airport after a chaotic experience at passport control caused them to miss their Ryanair flight back to Dublin. The incident occurred on September 20, when flight FR7337 was scheduled to depart at 10 PM but faced multiple delays and confusion over flight times.
What We Know
- Over 60 passengers missed their Ryanair flight from Lisbon to Dublin due to passport control delays.
- Confusion over flight times led to a rush at the boarding gate, creating a hostile environment.
- Passengers were offered the option to rebook their flights at a cost of €100.
Passengers reported that they arrived at the airport well in advance, with many checking in three and a half hours before the scheduled departure. Initially, the flight was displayed as delayed until 10:45 PM, leading travelers to believe they had ample time to clear passport control.
However, at approximately 9:20 PM, the flight time was reverted back to 10 PM, prompting a rush to the boarding gate.
As passengers queued for passport control, the situation escalated into a chaotic scene. The gate ultimately closed at 9:52 PM, leaving 62 passengers unable to board. They were escorted back to the Ryanair desk, where they were informed they could rebook their flights for a fee of €100 each.
Ryanair’s Response
In a statement, Ryanair acknowledged the issues at Lisbon Airport, attributing the delays to staff shortages at passport control. They emphasized that it is each passenger’s responsibility to arrive at the boarding gate before it closes, as detailed on their boarding passes.
Despite the gate being open longer than scheduled, many passengers felt that the timing was insufficient given the circumstances. Ryanair noted that screen display issues were the responsibility of Lisbon Airport, and they have reached out for further clarification.