10 April 2019| 04 Shabaan 1440
Ryanair has apologised after wrongly denying boarding to a Palestinian refugee from a flight from Germany to Ireland.
Iyed el-Baghdadi was booked on Ryanair flight FR8557 to Dublin, due to leave Berlin’s Schoenefeld airport at 11am local time.
“I once spent 26 days stranded in an airport after being expelled from my former country, the UAE. Yes, I’m nervous around airports. But if we’re anything we’re resilient. Dictators didn’t break us, an airline certainly won’t.” Mr el-Baghdadi
He is a resident of Norway, and is holding a Norwegian-issued “Convention travel document”, which is issued to refugees under the terms of the Geneva Convention. It allows visa-free stays of up to 90 days in Ireland.
No specific reason was given for the refusal to allow him to fly, and says that he was told that the supervisor was busy.
Earlier, he tweeted: “I’m at the airport in Berlin and I’m being denied boarding by @Ryanair”, claiming it was ”because I’m a refugee”.
“I’m heading to Dublin.
“The Irish government website says I can travel but @Ryanair says I can’t.
“If you love me, make some noise.”
The upset Mr el-Baghdadi later wrote: “I’m waiting for a supervisor, who’s obviously taking their time hoping I’ll just leave or I’ll miss the flight.”
Ryanair later tweeted: “Sincere apologies for the inconvenience – could you please DM [direct message] us your booking reference and we will investigate this immediately.”
Ryanair later responded to an Independent reporter saying, “This customer was denied boarding because of an error made by our handling agent in Berlin. Ryanair has since made contact with the customer directly and he will travel with us later today. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused”.
Under European passengers’ rights rules, Mr el-Bahgdadi is entitled to €250 (£215) in compensation, in addition to other expenses.
Edited from original article by Independent