Technical Issue Grounds Ryanair Flight for More Than 15 Hours at Krakow Airport
Passengers traveling on a Ryanair flight from Krakow, Poland, to Liverpool endured a delay of more than 15 hours after a technical issue grounded their aircraft, leaving approximately 150 travelers waiting inside the airport for most of the day. The disruption also prompted criticism after passengers were issued refreshment vouchers worth just 17 Polish zloty—around £3.38—which some travelers said was not enough to buy even a single coffee at the airport.
The delayed service, Ryanair flight FR6359, was scheduled to operate between Krakow Airport (KRK) and Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL). While the airline attributed the disruption to a minor technical problem, the lengthy wait and limited refreshment assistance became the focus of passenger frustration.
Flight Departed After Midnight Following Replacement Aircraft
Scheduled Morning Departure Turned Into Overnight Journey
Flight FR6359 had been scheduled to depart Krakow at 8:55 a.m. on Monday, August 3, with arrival in Liverpool expected at 10:40 a.m. local time. Instead, the aircraft remained on the ground throughout the day before eventually departing at approximately 12:40 a.m. on Tuesday, August 4.
The flight ultimately landed in Liverpool around 2:00 a.m., arriving more than 15 hours behind schedule. Flight tracking data confirmed the prolonged delay, making it one of the most significant disruptions affecting the route that day.
According to Ryanair, the delay was caused by a minor technical issue involving the aircraft originally assigned to operate the service. To complete the journey, the airline arranged a replacement aircraft, but the time required to source and position that aircraft significantly extended the overall delay.
Passengers received text message updates explaining the operational issue and advising that a replacement aircraft would operate the flight once it became available.
Passengers Describe Long Waits and Limited Information
Travelers Remained Inside Departure Area for Most of the Day
Many passengers reported spending nearly the entire day inside the airport’s secure departure area while waiting for further updates on the flight.
Some travelers said they chose to remain near the boarding gate because leaving the secure zone would have required passing through airport security again, creating additional inconvenience if boarding was announced unexpectedly.
One passenger traveling home to northwest England described the atmosphere inside the terminal as becoming increasingly tense as the hours passed, saying travelers received little direct communication from airline staff beyond text notifications.
Families traveling with children were also affected by the extended delay, with many relying on mobile phones, tablets, and handheld games to keep younger passengers occupied during the long wait.
Refreshment Voucher Value Draws Criticism
Travelers Say Voucher Failed to Cover Basic Airport Purchases
The airline provided refreshment vouchers valued at 17 PLN for each boarding pass during the delay. However, several passengers questioned whether the assistance was adequate given the length of the disruption.
Travelers noted that a coffee at Krakow Airport reportedly cost 21 PLN, meaning the voucher was insufficient to purchase even a basic hot drink, according to Mirror.
The disparity between airport food prices and the value of the vouchers quickly became a major point of criticism among affected passengers, with many arguing that the assistance did not reflect the duration of the delay.
Ryanair Apologizes and Explains Disruption
Airline Cites Technical Issue and Replacement Aircraft
Ryanair said the disruption resulted from a minor technical issue affecting the scheduled aircraft and apologized to passengers for the inconvenience caused.
The airline stated that it organized a replacement aircraft to operate the service as quickly as possible once the technical problem became apparent.
Passengers were also advised that the refreshment vouchers could be redeemed only at participating airport outlets and were not valid for purchases onboard the aircraft.
Passenger Rights May Depend on Cause of Delay
Although the refreshment vouchers became the most visible aspect of the disruption, passengers experiencing lengthy delays on flights within Europe may have additional rights under applicable passenger protection regulations.
Any entitlement to financial compensation would depend on the final cause of the delay and whether the circumstances meet the criteria established under relevant European passenger rights rules.
Such eligibility would be assessed independently from the refreshments provided during the delay, meaning passengers may still pursue compensation if the disruption qualifies under applicable regulations.
