A Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki to Memmingen was forced to return to the airport after a sudden 9,000‑foot drop and a cabin window blew out.
Passengers on board heard a blast, saw a rapid decompression and felt the plane nosedive. One 61‑year‑old Serbian passenger was pulled head‑first toward the open window before other travellers pulled him back inside. He was later treated for friction burns and shock in a local hospital.
Ryanair confirmed the aircraft, operated by its Malta Air subsidiary, landed safely and that a replacement flight became available a few hours later. The airline’s statement noted the flight returned "shortly after take‑off when a passenger window dislodged in flight".
Fraport Greece, the airport operator, informed that the incident is under investigation by the Hellenic Air and Rail Safety Investigation Authority and that all emergency procedures were activated. The Irish Aviation Authority also pledged assistance to investigators.
Aircraft safety experts emphasize that seat‑belts should remain fastened even when the seat‑belt sign is off, as practice suggests they protect passengers in sudden turbulence or emergencies. The 2018 Southwest Airlines incident—where a passenger was partially sucked out of a window due to engine debris—underscores the critical need for rigorous cabin integrity checks.
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