A passenger was taken off a Ryanair flight by staff in hazmat suits after receiving a text telling him he had tested positive for Covid-19 minutes before departure.
The passenger, who has not been identified, and his travel companion were on a flight to Pisa, Italy, from London Stansted airport on Wednesday when he received the notification.
A video of the ensuing moments, taken by a fellow passenger, shows staff in hazmat suits boarding the plane and attending to the man.
Ryanair said in a statement that the two passengers had only been seated for 10 minutes before they were taken off the plane and transported to an isolation area at the airport.
The flight to Pisa went ahead, an hour and 20 minutes later than scheduled to allow for seats and overhead cabins to be disinfected.
Ryanair said in a statement: “Since this passenger and his companion had complied fully with Ryanair health regulations, they were both wearing masks at all times at Stansted Airport and for the very short period – less than 10 mins – they were seated on the aircraft prior to departure.
“There was little if any risk of Covid-19 transmission to other passengers or crew members as all of whom were also wearing face masks at all times.
“The aircraft departed for Pisa following a delay of one hour and 20 mins to allow for the empty seats and overhead cabin bins to be disinfected to comply with all UK health authority guidance.
“Ryanair apologises to all passengers for this short delay.”
A spokesman from Stansted Airport said: “We were made aware of the passenger by the airline and members of the airport’s fire service attended the aircraft and escorted the passenger and travel partner to an isolation area, where they were put in contact with Public Health England who then oversaw the passenger’s onward journey.”