Ryanair's Own Stairs Blamed for 85 Passenger Falls in Italy 2026

Ryanair's use of its own boarding stairs on large aircraft has come under scrutiny after an Italian aviation safety report linked the practice to a staggering number of passenger falls. The Italian National Flight Safety Agency (ANSV) found that between 2023 and 2025, there were 104 falls during boarding and disembarking from aircraft in Italy, and 85 of those involved Ryanair passengers. That means the Irish carrier, known for its cost-cutting measures, accounted for over 80% of all such incidents.

What the ANSV Report Reveals About Ryanair's Stairs

The ANSV report, first highlighted by El Mundo, paints a concerning picture for Europe's largest budget airline. While 104 falls across three years might seem negligible given the millions of passengers who fly through Italian airports, the concentration of incidents on one airline is what caught the regulator's attention.

Ryanair is the only major carrier that uses its own boarding stairs on large aircraft, a move designed to reduce costs by avoiding airport-provided equipment. But the data suggests this efficiency drive may come at a safety cost. The ANSV is now examining whether the design or operation of these stairs contributes to the higher fall rate.

Why Ryanair Stands Out from Other Airlines

Most airlines rely on airport-operated jet bridges or mobile stairs, which are subject to strict standardized safety protocols. Ryanair's self-owned stairs, while compliant with regulations, are unique to the airline and may not offer the same stability or grip as conventional equipment.

The report notes that the falls occurred during both embarkation and disembarkation, indicating a potential systemic issue rather than isolated incidents. With over 200 million passengers carried by Ryanair in 2025 alone, even a small increase in incident rate can translate into hundreds of injuries.

How Serious Are These Falls?

The ANSV report does not detail the severity of injuries, but falls from aircraft stairs can range from minor bruises to serious fractures, particularly among elderly or mobility-impaired passengers. The agency has not yet issued specific recommendations, but its findings are likely to prompt further investigation.

Ryanair has consistently defended its safety record, stating that its stairs meet all regulatory requirements. However, the Italian regulator's data raises questions about whether cost-saving measures should be reassessed when passenger safety is at stake.

What This Means for Travelers

For passengers flying Ryanair, the report serves as a reminder to exercise caution when using the airline's boarding stairs. Those with limited mobility or heavy carry-on bags should take extra care, especially in adverse weather conditions.

The incident also highlights the broader debate over airline ancillary fees and cost-cutting. Ryanair's stairs are part of its strategy to minimize turnaround times and airport charges, but the ANSV findings suggest that such efficiencies may have hidden costs.

Key Takeaways from the ANSV Report

• 85 of 104 passenger falls in Italy between 2023 and 2025 occurred on Ryanair flights.
• Ryanair is the only airline using its own stairs on large aircraft, a cost-saving measure.
• The ANSV is investigating whether the stairs' design contributes to the higher fall rate.
• Ryanair carried over 200 million passengers in 2025, so even a small incident rate affects many people.
• Travelers are advised to be extra cautious when boarding or disembarking via Ryanair's stairs.

Comparing Boarding Methods: Ryanair vs. Other Airlines

The table illustrates the stark contrast: Ryanair's self-operated stairs are associated with more than four times as many falls as all other airlines combined. While correlation does not prove causation, the ANSV's focus on Ryanair suggests the regulator sees a pattern worth investigating. The background to this story is set out in Ryanair Engine Failure Shatters Window, Passenger Partly Sucked. A related thread runs through Ryanair Passenger Almost Sucked Out Window: Wife's Heroic Story. Earlier coverage in Ryanair Safety Incident: Passenger Nearly Sucked Out of Window shows how the argument developed.

What to Watch Next

The ANSV is expected to publish further analysis and potentially recommend changes to Ryanair's boarding procedures. The airline has not yet responded publicly to the report, but any regulatory action could have implications for its operations across Europe. A closer look at the same subject appears in Ryanair Explosion Survivor Recalls Being Sucked Out of Window. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Ryanair Passenger Sucked Out of Plane Window: Survival Story. The same theme surfaces in Ryanair Plane Safety Affirmed After Passenger Nearly Sucked Out W, which takes a different angle.

Passengers should stay informed about safety advisories and consider their own mobility needs when booking with Ryanair. As the investigation unfolds, the case may prompt a wider review of airline boarding equipment standards. Context on how this played out before sits in Ryanair Window Shattered by Engine Debris: NTSB Report. A companion piece, The best options to create your own ecological area under your stairs!, approaches the same subject from another angle.