TAP Air Portugal Sued Over Assault Case at Paris Orly Airport

LISBON- A 30-year-old woman of Brazilian-Italian descent has initiated legal action against TAP Air Portugal (TP) following an alleged sexual assault that occurred in a Paris hotel room. This incident happened after her flight from Paris Orly (ORY) to Lisbon (LIS) was canceled.

Due to a shortage of available rooms, the airline compelled her to share accommodations with unfamiliar individuals, including a man and a woman. This unfortunate situation ultimately led to the nighttime attack and her subsequent demand for increased compensation.

TAP Air Portugal Faces Legal Challenges

The incident began when the woman boarded TAP Air Portugal flight TP439 on May 31, 2025. A technical difficulty led to the cancellation of the flight, requiring passengers to seek accommodations under European air passenger rights.

Upon approaching customer service, she learned that limited hotel options necessitated her sharing a room with both a German woman and a Brazilian man. Opting against the expense of a private hotel, she reluctantly accepted a shared space, which contained a double bed and a couch.

As the night wore on, her German roommate left the room due to insomnia. The woman was then awakened to find the man on top of her, attempting to sexually assault her. She managed to scream, prompting him to flee the scene.

Soon after, she reported the assault to the Brazilian authorities and proceeded to file a complaint against the airline. TAP Air Portugal initially offered her 5,000 reais (about US $920) in compensation without acknowledging responsibility, which she declined.

Now, she is pursuing a lawsuit for 50,000 reais (approximately US $9,100), bolstered by evidence like a hotel voucher with all three guest names and a picture of the room.

The German woman, her former roommate, has expressed support, highlighting the airline’s policies as compromising passengers’ safety. Despite requests for comment from various outlets, TAP Air Portugal has remained silent on the issue.

Passengers endured the fallout from the cancellation after already boarding at Paris Orly (ORY), resulting in an unplanned overnight situation. European regulations stipulate that airlines must provide accommodation for such delays, regardless of the underlying cause.

The airline’s decision to allocate shared rooms for solo travelers ignored individual requests for privacy, primarily prioritizing cost over passenger safety, ultimately resulting in this tragic incident.

Legal Proceedings and Assistance

After returning home, the woman filed a police report and rejected the initial settlement offer. She aims to hold TAP Air Portugal accountable for the jeopardy posed to its passengers.

Although the Portuguese Association for Victim Support (APAV) provided guidance following the incident, it appears that support from the airline itself has been negligible.

Understanding European Air Passenger Rights

The EC 261 regulation, in effect since 2005, mandates airlines to provide essential services such as meals, transportation, phone calls, and hotel accommodations for overnight delays. This applies universally, even in cases of technical issues.

While the laws do not explicitly demand single-occupancy rooms, most airlines typically offer such options. However, shortages can lead to shared accommodations without specific legal requirements for privacy.

What are your thoughts on airline responsibilities toward passenger safety in situations like this?