Ryanair updates procedures after Italian study flags 737 airstair falls

Italian safety investigators have documented a disproportionate number of falls from the built-in airstairs on Boeing 737 aircraft, primarily on Ryanair flights. The ANSV, Italy's investigation authority, found that between 2023 and 2025 there were 104 falls during boarding or disembarkation in Italy, 85 of them involving 737 airstairs. Ryanair is the main operator in Italy using these airstairs and accounted for 26-27% of total passenger traffic during the period.

The study acknowledges that only a few dozen passengers fall out of the millions who use the airstairs, but says the figures show a prevalence of mishaps compared with conventional stairs used by airport ground handlers. Data from Irish authorities showed Ryanair experienced 489 falls from 2021 to 2025, with three times as many on built-in airstairs than on handler stairs.

The 737 airstair slopes at about 35 degrees and has 12 steps, each about 20 cm high and 61 cm wide. It is narrower and steeper than airport handler stairs. The first step is trapezoidal and slightly shorter to follow the fuselage profile.

ANSV said previously issued safety recommendations from Spanish and Irish investigators were reasonable but had not had the desired effect. Ryanair has now amended its procedures, and ANSV is refraining from adding further recommendations.