An airline passenger was left in tears after being stopped at the gate due to the size of her carry-on luggage.
It's a fear we've all faced and it's a measure that's taken very seriously by budget airlines all around the world.
You may have noticed arguments between passengers and airline staff before getting onboard, as a result of their bag being an inch too wide or tall in their infamous baggage size check containers.
Ryanair are known for sticking to the book when it comes to these measures, and while I've seen people lose their temper over being stopped, it's nothing compared to this.
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At Sofia Airport in Bulgaria, footage captured by a traveller caught a woman breaking down at the gate, banging on an airport door after being told she wasn't allowed on the aircraft.
She was told that her luggage was 'too large', as she would drop to her knees in despair prior to the flight to Vienna, Austria, on Thursday 24 July.
While pleading with those at the gate, passengers looked on at the woman, who continued to bang on the doors separating her from passengers.
Two of the three members of staff were 'Border Police', keeping tabs on the situation as it went on.
Nikolay Stefanov was responsible for posting snaps and footage of the incident on Facebook, as he revealed that the airline told her she could pay extra to get onboard, though she refused as it allegedly fit in the sizer.
According to MailOnline, Stefanov explained: "She was pleading with us not to leave, but we were threatened that the entire flight would be cancelled if we didn't get on the bus, so passengers became frightened and left."
He added that a different passenger, who was stood behind the woman in question, was removed despite having 'no issues.'
Stefanov was told by staff that the risk of reopening the gate was too great to allow anyone else in, as the woman might 'try to get on the bus.'
He noted the 'utter lack of compassion' from staff, who didn't show any sympathy to the distressed woman.
Stefanov claimed that a different staff member even 'hid his name badge when questioned', even trying to confiscate someone's phone when they tried to film everything.
According to Bulgarian news site Fatki.bg, Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Gorozdan Karadjov, ordered for an inspection of the airport's CCTV cameras.
They report that he called the behaviour of the employees as 'outrageous.'
He claimed that the main ground operator was handed the 'highest fine' and a 'verbal warning' with harsher punishments if this were to happen again.
However, the company responsible for ground handling services at Sofia Airport, Goldair Handling Bulgaria, said the employee in question acting 'professionally.'
Speaking to BNT News, the company stated: "All rules regarding passengers' baggage, its permissible size and the fees payable for baggage are determined solely, entirely and unilaterally by the airlines, and Goldair Handling Bulgaria OOD is solely obliged to monitor compliance with these rules by the airlines."
It went on, saying they were 'obliged' to measure dimensions of carry-on baggage and collect baggage fees if necessary, 'for the benefit of the airlines.'
They claim that their employee 'did not violate the rights of a passenger', nor did they behave rudely.
The company said that the employee even complied with rules and procedures of the operator, sticking to what they were meant to do.
"They acted professionally and without any physical contact with the passenger."
Ryanair's carry-on luggage policy allows passengers to fly with 'one small personal bag' for free, though it must be sized 40cm x 20cm x 25cm or below, while fitting in the seat in front of you.
A Ryanair spokesperson stated: “This passenger booked a Basic Fare ticket for this flight from Sofia to Vienna (24 July), which allowed them to carry a small personal bag onboard.
“As this passenger's bag exceeded the permitted size, they were correctly required to pay a standard gate baggage fee however refused to do so and became aggressive towards gate staff. As a result of their aggressive behaviour, the gate agent denied this passenger boarding for this flight from Sofia to Vienna.”
Topics: Ryanair, Travel, World News
Joshua Nair