Ryanair passengers endured a night of confusion and distress after a flight from Bergamo to Charleroi was diverted to Ostende, Belgium, leaving them stranded over 160 kilometres from their intended destination without food, water, or clear communication from the airline.
The incident occurred on Sunday evening, April 20, 2026, when the low-cost carrier’s flight, originally scheduled to depart Milan-Bergamo at 19:40, was delayed for several hours before finally taking off at 23:20. Passengers reported being left uninformed during the extended wait on the aircraft, with no access to basic provisions.
Approximately one hour into the flight, travelers were informed that the plane would not be landing at Brussels South Charleroi Airport as planned, but instead at Ostende, a coastal city located at the opposite end of Belgium. The diversion was confirmed by Nathalie Pierard, spokesperson for Charleroi Airport, who stated that after 23:00, the airport no longer accepts incoming flights due to operational regulations, though exceptions can be requested under extraordinary circumstances.
Pierard emphasized that while the airport’s curfew policy necessitated the diversion, Ryanair bore responsibility for failing to arrange onward transport for passengers to their original destination. “The airline has an obligation to organize shuttles to bring passengers back to Charleroi,” she said, noting that this duty was not fulfilled in this case.
Testachats, the Belgian consumer association, echoed this position, affirming that under EU air passenger rights regulations, carriers must ensure passengers reach their final ticketed destination even when flights are rerouted. If passengers are not provided with alternative transportation, they are entitled to file claims for reimbursement and compensation.
Travelers described feeling abandoned during the ordeal, with one passenger, Lisa, recounting that after three hours of waiting onboard without information, they were told the flight was departing—only to learn mid-journey that Charleroi was no longer the destination. Another passenger, Aurore, criticized the lack of basic care, stating that no water or food was provided during the delay.
The flight eventually landed at Ostende-Bruges Airport at approximately 23:30, according to multiple local reports. Upon disembarkation, passengers found themselves without assistance or clear guidance on how to reach Charleroi, which lies roughly 160 kilometres away by road.
This incident adds to a growing pattern of operational and service-related challenges involving Ryanair in recent weeks, including other instances of passenger stranding and communication failures across its European network.
As of now, neither Ryanair nor Charleroi Airport has issued a public statement detailing specific compensation measures or procedural changes in response to the event. Passengers seeking recourse are advised to contact the airline directly or consult national enforcement bodies for air passenger rights in Belgium or the European Union.
For updates on passenger rights and official guidance regarding flight disruptions, travelers can refer to the European Commission’s dedicated portal on air travel or contact the Belgian Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport.
If you have experienced a similar situation or have information about this incident, we encourage you to share your experience in the comments below. Your insights help inform better accountability and transparency in air travel.
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