Ryanair to Fight Passenger’s Window Ejection Claim

A passenger suffered severe injuries during a July flight from Greece to Germany when an aircraft window shattered, according to investigators examining the incident.

Ryanair Disputes Account of Passenger Sucked Through Window

Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary stated at an annual meeting in Dublin on Thursday that the airline will be disputing accounts that any part of the passenger’s body was sucked outside the aircraft. The injured passenger, 61-year-old Serbian businessman Ljubisa Karović, was left severely injured after the window beside him shattered during the flight from Greece to Germany, according to verified reports.

However, O’Leary disputed that version of events when speaking to reporters. “He wasn’t partially out the window,” O’Leary said, as reported by news sources. “Part of his face didn’t get out the window. We don’t think any part of his body got out the window, but he was certainly sucked in very dramatic circumstances towards the window.”

Passenger Testimony and Rescue Details

Karović told the Guardian that he believes his seatbelt kept him inside the aircraft as he lost consciousness during the incident. His wife, Svetlana Karović, watched her husband “half in and out of the plane” and credited an unknown passenger—believed to be Albanian—with saving him, according to the Guardian.

“He did all he could to bring him in and then tried to block the window, first with a bag that was immediately sucked out and then with a suitcase, which worked,” Svetlana Karović told the Guardian. O’Leary acknowledged that the passenger was “belted into the seat” and stated that the airline would await the outcome of the official NTSB report before addressing compensation further.

Broader Disputes Involve Air Traffic Control and Shareholder Votes

Alongside the NTSB investigation updates, O’Leary addressed ongoing operational clashes, disputing the account of air traffic control provider Nats regarding a recent system failure. O’Leary accused Nats boss Martin Rolfe of “telling lies to save his own skin,” while a Ryanair spokesperson claimed Nats attributed the disruption to a “spurious flight plan.” Nats responded that the issue occurred within its flight processing system but differed from outages in 2023 and 2025.

During the same Dublin meeting, approximately a third of Ryanair shareholders voted against O’Leary’s recent pay deal, which could reach €150 million if performance targets are met through 2032. The package ultimately secured approval from roughly two-thirds of voting shareholders.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who is investigating the Ryanair window incident? The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the US is leading the accident investigation, alongside Boeing and GE, according to source reports.
• What injuries did the passenger sustain?
• What is Ryanair’s official stance on the incident? Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary stated that the airline disputes claims that any part of the passenger’s body exited the aircraft, though he acknowledged the traveler was dramatically pulled toward the opening while belted into his seat.

Pro Tip: Stay informed on aviation safety updates by reviewing official investigative releases from bodies like the NTSB as inquiries progress.