22 April 2024 , 09:55
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An EasyJet flight to Tenerife was forced to land after two passengers started behaving 'disruptively' on board and engaged in a mid-air fight.
The EZY3113 flight from Glasgow diverted to Bristol Airport on Saturday, where it was met by officers on the tarmac. Two people were then escorted off the plane by police. The aircraft took off after the diversion and landed in the Canary Islands around four hours later.
The return flight to Glasgow was delayed overnight as the cabin crew had reached their maximum permitted flying hours following the incident. Those impacted by the delay were provided accommodation and meals. The Daily Record reported there had been a 'rammy' - or scuffle - between two passengers on board the plane, sparking the initial diversion.
Avon and Somerset Police said one man, 34-year-old Brian Watt from Rothesay, Scotland, had been charged in connection with the incident. He is charged with one count each of being drunk on an aircraft, criminal damage, failing to obey the lawful commands of the pilot while onboard an aircraft and using threatening, abusive or insulting words towards crew while in an aircraft.
Another person, a man in his 20s, was arrested on suspicion of being drunk on an aircraft and was released with no further action. A police spokesperson said: "A 34-year-old man has been charged after officers were called after a flight diverted into Bristol Airport enroute to Spain. Brian Watt, from Rothesay, Scotland, has been charged with one count each of being drunk on an aircraft, criminal damage, failing to obey the lawful commands of the pilot while onboard an aircraft and using threatening, abusive or insulting words towards crew while in an aircraft.
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"The charges come after police were called to Bristol Airport on Saturday 20 April at around 5pm, following a report of passengers causing a disturbance on a plane travelling to Spain from Scotland. One other person, a man in his 20s, was arrested on suspicion of being drunk on an aircraft. He was released with no further action. Watt will appear before magistrates at North Somerset Courthouse today (Monday 22 April)."
An easyJet spokesperson told the Mirror: "EasyJet can confirm that flight EZY3113 from Glasgow to Tenerife on 20 April diverted to Bristol where the aircraft was met by police due to two passengers behaving disruptively onboard. The flight then continued to Tenerife once the passengers were removed."
"EasyJet's cabin crew are trained to assess and evaluate all situations and to act quickly and appropriately to ensure that the safety of the flight and other passengers is not compromised at any time. While such incidents are rare we take them very seriously and do not tolerate disruptive behaviour onboard, with the safety and wellbeing of passengers and crew always our highest priority."