A group of British individuals were forcibly removed from a crowded flight to Benidorm due to disruptive behavior, with one of them allegedly attempting to open a door mid-flight.
Other passengers expressed gratitude to the French police who intervened and escorted the unruly men off the Ryanair aircraft, which was en route from Luton to Alicante. The pilot diverted the plane to Toulouse, France, following concerns raised by the cabin crew about the men’s refusal to comply.
According to reports, the men, who were on a stag do, were accused of being intoxicated. Footage captured the moment elite special forces police entered the plane’s aisle and identified the individuals at fault.
An official source described the situation as terrifying for fellow passengers, stating that the pilot had no choice but to make an emergency landing. It was alleged that one of the men, positioned near an emergency exit, was making attempts to open it.
Despite repeated warnings from the cabin crew, the captain contacted French authorities for assistance. Upon landing at Toulouse-Blagnac airport, the Air Transport Gendarmerie Company (CGTA) was ready to handle the situation.
One heavily intoxicated individual was taken into Border Police custody to sober up, while approximately four others were also removed from the flight and detained. The main suspect is now under investigation, facing potential trial and a maximum penalty of five years.
CGTA commander Ludovic Fornari commended his team’s professionalism, along with the collaboration of other French units. Confirmation from a police source in Toulouse indicated the flight diversion occurred around 9:30 pm on a Friday night.
After the disruptive passengers were removed, the flight resumed its journey, departing at 10:15 pm. A video shared on TikTok depicted the moment of the men’s arrest.
In response to the incident, a Ryanair spokesperson stated that the airline has a zero-tolerance policy towards disruptive behavior. They emphasized the commitment to ensuring a respectful and hassle-free travel experience for all passengers and crew.
Ryanair has been vocal about the behavior of British passengers on its flights, with the company’s CEO calling for restrictions on alcohol sales at airport bars. In both France and the UK, endangering aircraft safety carries a potential prison sentence of up to five years and a significant fine.
Individuals charged with being intoxicated on a plane could face a maximum of two years in prison and a substantial fine.