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A Ryanair plane has been left with significant damage to its rear stabiliser after it rolled backwards crashing into building at an airport.

The tail wing on one of the budget airline's 737-800s was ripped in half on one side of the plane in the incident at Rome Ciampino Airport yesterday.

An image seen by MailOnline Travel shows the rear stabiliser in tatters, with ground staff standing around assessing the damage to the plane.

Damaged: A Ryanair 737-800, which was damaged in the crash in Rome

No one was on board the aircraft when the incident happened, according to a spokesman for Ryanair.

The aeroplane was parked when it started to roll backwards after it was not properly secured.

The airline, which was recently voted the UK's worst airline, blamed the ground handling agent for the incident.

Robin Kiely said: 'Ryanair has asked the ground handling agent (Groundcare) to investigate why it failed to properly secure a Ryanair aircraft at Rome Ciampino Airport yesterday.

Incident: Tourists leaving a Ryanair plane at Ciampino airport (file image)

'The parked and unoccupied aircraft rolled back and made contact with a remote building damaging its rear stabiliser. 

'This is currently being replaced and the aircraft will shortly return to service.'

Groundcare, which was unavailable for comment, is currently on strike at the airport, forcing Ryanair to cancel flights.

The damage plane was out of service due to the strikes, which have seen Ryanair flights delayed from the airport in Rome today today.

Passengers at Rome's second airport are facing long lines and flight cancellations because of the wildcat strike by baggage handlers.

The unannounced strike began Wednesday morning at Ciampino, a hub for Ryanair and other budget airlines.

About 850 workers of Groundcare, one of seven private companies that handle unloading baggage and cargo at Rome airports, are striking to recover back pay. Groundcare recently filed for bankruptcy protection.

Ciampino was paralysed by the dispute, and airport employees passed out water and hotel information to frustrated, stranded customers during the peak tourist season in Rome.

Flights were cancelled into Wednesday evening. Italy's civil aviation authorities were meeting with Groundcare and the workers to try to resolve the dispute.