The CEO of Ryanair, Michael O'Leary, publicly contested claims regarding a passenger, Ljubisa Karovic, who suffered injuries during a flight on July 10, 2023. The incident occurred shortly after takeoff from northern Greece, en route to Germany, when a window on the Boeing 737-800 shattered, allegedly due to debris from a broken fan blade.

Karovic sustained injuries to his neck and shoulder, as well as friction burns, after the window broke. Witnesses, including Karovic's wife, reported a dramatic incident in which a rapid pressure drop caused Karovic's head and shoulders to be pulled toward the window opening. His wife reportedly had to hold onto his legs while other passengers assisted in pulling him back into the aircraft.

While acknowledging that Karovic was indeed injured and entitled to compensation, O'Leary downplayed assertions that the passenger was partially ejected from the aircraft. In statements made after Ryanair's annual general meeting in Dublin, O'Leary claimed, "He wasn’t partially out the window. We don’t think any part of his body got out the window, but he was certainly sucked in very dramatic circumstances towards the window."

At the time of the incident, Karovic had his seat belt fastened. Flight attendants intervened rapidly and utilized a metal box to block the opening left by the missing window. Following the window's shattering, passengers described hearing a loud, continuous vibration, and the cabin filled with smoke or fog, leading to the deployment of oxygen masks from the ceiling.

Subsequent investigations indicated that the window shattered as a result of being struck by fragments from the broken fan blade. The incident compromised the fuselage and other components of the aircraft. Despite the chaos experienced during the flight, the plane was able to return safely to Greece.

This incident has raised serious safety concerns and questions regarding Ryanair's operational protocols and aircraft maintenance practices. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is carrying out a preliminary investigation into the event, scrutinizing the factors that contributed to the failure of the engine and its implications for passenger safety.

As the inquiry progresses, Ryanair faces scrutiny not only for the conditions leading to the incident but also for its response to the injuries sustained by the passenger and the airline's handling of compensation claims. The airline has expressed a commitment to cooperating with the investigation, while relations with Karovic's family remain tense as they seek appropriate restitution for the traumatic experience.