A Ryanair passenger has described his humiliation after airline staff presented him with a bin bag to carry the remnants of his belongings, following an ordeal where his checked-in luggage was allegedly ‘ripped to shreds’.
The Stansted Airport Ordeal
Daniel Sakal, a 34-year-old wedding photographer from Essex, landed at London Stansted Airport on September 4 after a work trip to Nice, France. His travel nightmare began when his duffel bag failed to appear on the baggage reclaim carousel.
After seeking help from staff, an employee reportedly returned holding the tattered remains of his bag. Daniel claimed the damage was so severe it looked as if the luggage had been ‘dragged down the runway’. He recounted the staff member's reaction, saying she was shocked and apologetic, stating she had never witnessed such extensive damage before.
£1,500 of Belongings Destroyed
The contents of the bag, valued at approximately £1,500, were ruined. This included clothing, underwear, new shoes, a drone controller, an extension lead, and an expensive toothbrush, all of which were smashed or torn. The duffel bag itself, a £200 gift from his wife, was also destroyed beyond repair.
In a deeply embarrassing scene, Daniel was given a large bin liner to transport the fragments of his possessions. "All my stuff was falling out, it was a bit embarrassing, all my boxers and underwear were on the floor at Stansted airport," he said. "I was in a bit of shock. A lot of people were looking."
A Battle for Compensation
The situation worsened when Daniel sought compensation from Ryanair. After filling out forms and sending five follow-up emails, the airline's initial response was an offer of just £50 – the same amount he had paid to check the bag in the first place.
Daniel described the offer as "mental" and "such an insult" given the value of the destroyed items. He is now calling for the airline to be held accountable and is hoping for, at the very least, a formal apology.
In a statement to the press, Ryanair pointed to third-party baggage handling at Nice Airport, which is paid for by the airline but not directly operated by them. Both Nice Airport and London Stansted Airport were also approached for comment on the incident.
