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<\/p>\nOne teenage Ryanair passenger got far more than expected after making a small \u20ac2 purchase during a flight home from holiday.<\/p>\n
File photo of a Ryanair plane at Thessaloniki airport, where the lucky passenger boarded from<\/p>\n
With summer holiday season just around the corner, thousands of Irish passengers will soon be boarding Ryanair flights<\/a> bound for sunny destinations across Europe.<\/p>\n While many flyers look forward to a snack, a coffee or a bit of duty free shopping<\/a> when the onboard trolley comes around, one passenger’s small \u20ac2 purchase ended up turning into a life changing surprise.<\/p>\n Ryanair has revealed that 18 year old Faustino Vertice from Pompei in Italy <\/a>won a staggering \u20ac10,000 after buying a Ryanair scratch card during a flight from Thessaloniki in Greece <\/a>to Rome <\/a>last December.<\/p>\n The lucky customer bought the \u20ac2 scratch card onboard while travelling home from his holiday <\/a>and never imagined it would land him a massive five figure payout.<\/p>\n Speaking after his win, Faustino said: “I’m absolutely delighted – never in a million years did I think boarding that Ryanair flight home to Rome from my holiday in Thessaloniki that I would purchase a \u20ac2 Ryanair Scratch Card and win \u20ac10,000.<\/p>\n “I was convinced I wouldn’t win anything, but fortunately, that wasn’t the case. This incredible cash prize will make a huge difference for me and my family, as now I can also help out with the family if needed and I might even take a few trips around the world with Ryanair.”<\/p>\n The teenager is the latest big winner from Ryanair’s onboard scratch card programme, which has been running since 2009.<\/p>\n Just last week, another lucky Ryanair passenger scooped an eye watering \u20ac500,000 in the airline’s annual ‘Win A Million’ scratch card draw.<\/p>\n Ryanair says the scratch cards not only give passengers the chance to win major prizes, but also support 13 charities<\/a> across Europe.<\/p>\n Ryanair spokesperson Aoife Greene said: “We are delighted for Faustino \u2013 our latest Ryanair Scratch Card winner, having bagged a whopping \u20ac10,000 cash prize on a \u20ac2 Ryanair Scratch Card he bought on his way home to Rome after a relaxing holiday in Thessaloniki last December.<\/p>\n “Ryanair’s Scratch Card programme continues to make a real difference to our charity partners across Europe doing extraordinary work for children and families in need, while also giving our passengers the opportunity to win fantastic prizes. We congratulate Faustino on his big win and thank all our passengers for continuing to support this meaningful onboard initiative.”<\/p>\n Faustino added: “I’m also extremely proud to have supported one of Ryanair’s charities across Europe at the same time.”<\/p>\n Passengers can win prizes including \u20ac10,000 cash payouts, a brand new car<\/a>, onboard spend credit and a chance to qualify for the annual ‘Win A Million’ grand prize draw.<\/p>\n