Furious Ryanair passengers 'take plane hostage' after seven-hour delay

DISGRUNTLED Ryanair passengers launched a "disrespectful" revolt against crew and "took the plane hostage" over a seven-hour delay.

Ryanair infamously charged a passenger whose family had been killed in a house fire an extra £160 to change his flight home

DISGRUNTLED Ryanair passengers launched a "disrespectful" revolt against crew and "took the plane hostage" over a seven-hour delay.

France 24 reports the budget carrier was forced to drop off a sick passenger in Madrid en route to Paris on January 11.

The aircraft, carrying 170 passengers, was forced to stop in Nantes due to night-time noise restrictions at Paris’s Beauvais airport.

Facing the prospect of a 24-hour delay, some of the passengers allegedly rebelled and helped themselves to the aircraft’s onboard supplies.“

"The plane and its crew were effectively taken hostage by a group of disgruntled passengers," one Nantes employee, who wasn't named, said.

"They pillaged the aircraft for food, drinks – especially alcoholic drinks – cigarettes and perfumes; anything of any value. They behaved like animals towards the plane, the crew members and members of the airport’s ground staff."

However some passengers defended their actions.

"I’m neither a thief nor a hostage-taker. We were tired, on edge because the situation was badly managed, we were hungry and thirsty and no one was giving us any information," one said.

"After seven hours locked in a plane – instead of the scheduled two-and-a-half – people need to eat. We simply helped ourselves," said another.

Read more at France 24.