Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary disputed reports that a passenger was partly sucked out of a shattered window during a July flight operated by Malta Air, a Ryanair subsidiary. Speaking at a news conference in Dublin after the airline's annual general meeting, O'Leary stated the passenger remained securely belted in his seat despite the window failure at 16,000 feet en route from Thessaloniki, Greece, to Germany. He said the man was 'sucked in very dramatically' but not partially out the window, and dismissed the wife's account of saving him by holding his feet as 'delusional,' noting she sat three rows behind.

Passenger Ljubisa Karovic's lawyer, Vasilis Tsiaras, countered that Karovic's head, hand, and upper body were pulled out, citing injuries and eyewitnesses. The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed the passenger was partially lodged in the damaged window after a bird strike caused engine failure and window cracking. Karovic, 61, from Serbia, suffered armpit and hand injuries, wore a neck brace, and credited his survival to his seatbelt and faith.

His wife Svetlana said he was 'half in and out' and a suitcase blocked the window. Tsiaras represents ~80 passengers planning lawsuits; O'Leary acknowledged injury and entitlement to compensation but rejected 'ambulance-chasing lawyers' and denied any body part exited the window.