Furious Ryanair passenger blocked from boarding flight from Dublin to London because he’s not wearing a mask
A RYANAIR passenger was blocked from boarding a flight because he was not wearing a mask.
James Higgins shared a video online of the row at the desk as staff told him he could not board his flight from Dublin to London Gatwick.
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Ryanair has introduced rules meaning all passengers have to wear masks while flying to help fight the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr Higgins however complained if masks are mandatory they should be provided to customers - rather than leaving people who don't have them stranded.
He claimed he had flown the week prior with Ryanair without a mask, and only when reaching the final check-in was told he needed one.
In the video, he said: "I am now getting removed from the airport because I do not have a mask to wear on a plane.
"Although last week you could do that - this week you can't do that.
"They are saying they don't have masks, they won't give me one, and they are not allowing me to board the plane."
In the clip, he shows at least one other passenger is in the same situation which he brands "totally stupid".
Mr Higgins continues: "If you want people to wear masks on a plane, give them a mask. Give them a mask, its really simple, they cost two pence - if that."
He claims after the confrontation with two staff members, he was removed from the airport by police.
Airlines around the world are seeking ways to safely restart international travel as many nations ease their lockdowns.
On Twitter, he said: "I was threatened that if I did share this video that I would be banned from flying with Ryanair.
"I cannot see how that is any way legally enforceable.
"What is more likely is that this will go down as another humiliating example of how you treat your customers."
The Sun Online has contacted Ryanair for comment over the video.
Ryanair first set out plans for customers to wear masks on May 12 - describing it as the "cornerstone" of a "healthy return to service".
The firm said at the time customers must wear masks "at all times" in the terminal and onboard planes.
Mr Higgins shared the video as Home Secretary Priti Patel introduced new quarantine measures for all travelers returning to the UK.
Ms Patel stuck to her guns over her hated 14-day quarantine plans - but gave hope to millions that "travel corridors"; could be established.
The Home Secretary has faced a huge backlash from critics who believe the rules, which will come into force from Monday, will harm the collapsing British travel industry and cost jobs.
There were fears that the quarantine plans could remain in place for months to come.
But she stressed today that the "essential" measures - which will be in place for at least the next three weeks - will be "time-limited" and "temporary", giving hope that Brits could jet off on a getaway in weeks.
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And she said the Foreign Office was in discussions about "international travel corridors" which could yet save the nation's summer holidays.
Fast-testing of passengers at airports could be one idea for how to tear down the need for a 14-day quarantine, she admitted.
But travel industry experts say quarantine will cost Britain’s tourism sector as much as £15billion if it goes on through the summer.
Travellers to the UK from Monday will have to quarantine in one specific address for 14 days when they arrive - or face £1,000 fines.