An allegedly drunk passenger on an easyJet flight caused chaos mid-air by attempting to storm the cockpit, forcing the pilots to make an emergency landing. The incident occurred on Flight U28235 from London Gatwick to Kos International Airport in Greece. The intoxicated passenger, who had consumed whiskey, became agitated during the flight, criticizing the captain and threatening to take over the controls while the plane was cruising at over 30,000 feet.
The disruptive behavior of the passenger escalated when he attempted to open an exit door, leading to a physical altercation between the flight attendants, passengers, and the unruly individual. The situation resulted in the need for an emergency landing at Munich International Airport, with German police boarding the plane to apprehend the disruptive passenger. Passengers on the flight expressed relief and support for the crew and the passenger who intervened to restrain the unruly individual until the safe landing was achieved.
During the incident, the disruptive passenger reportedly broke the onboard intercom and fought with the flight crew. EasyJet stated that the emergency landing was a result of a passenger behaving disruptively onboard, emphasizing that safety is their priority. Following the incident, the remaining passengers were provided with hotel accommodations overnight before the flight resumed its journey to Greece the following afternoon.
In response to this and similar incidents, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has called for airports to implement a two-drink limit on alcoholic beverages for passengers. O’Leary believes that limiting the amount of alcohol sold to passengers, particularly during times of flight delays, can help reduce instances of disruptive behavior on flights. He suggested that passengers should show their boarding passes to purchase alcoholic drinks at airport bars and should not be served more than two drinks.
O’Leary also mentioned that Ryanair and other European airlines have experienced a spike in disruptive passengers on flights, especially during the summer months. This increase in incidents has prompted discussions about implementing measures to prevent intoxicated individuals from causing disturbances mid-flight. The goal is to ensure the safety and comfort of all passengers onboard and minimize disruptions caused by unruly behavior. Airlines are taking such incidents seriously and are committed to maintaining a safe and secure travel environment for everyone.
