A group of British individuals caused a disturbance on a flight bound for Benidorm, leading to their removal from the aircraft by French police. The incident occurred while the Ryanair plane was en route from Luton to Alicante, prompting the pilot to divert to Toulouse, France, due to concerns raised by the cabin crew.
The disruptive passengers, reportedly part of a stag party, were accused of being intoxicated. They were forcibly removed from their seats by armed French police after ignoring requests to comply with safety regulations. One of the individuals was allegedly attempting to access an emergency door during the flight.
Following the intervention of the authorities, the disruptive passengers were taken into custody. One of them was described as highly intoxicated and was detained in a Border Police cell for sobering up. The primary suspect is now under investigation and may face up to five years in prison.
CGTA commander Ludovic Fornari commended the professionalism of the police team involved in handling the situation. The flight was eventually allowed to depart after the disruptive passengers were removed, and it resumed its journey to Alicante. Ryanair emphasized its zero-tolerance policy towards unruly behavior and stated that such incidents would be dealt with decisively in cooperation with local authorities.
Ryanair has expressed concerns about the behavior of British passengers on its flights and has called for restrictions on alcohol sales at airport bars. In France, endangering the safety of an aircraft carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a substantial fine. Similarly, being intoxicated on a plane in France or the UK can result in a two-year prison sentence and a significant fine.
Overall, the incident highlights the importance of maintaining order and safety onboard flights to ensure a smooth and secure travel experience for all passengers and crew members.
