With the summer holidays starting today, there’s a timely reminder not to be an idiot aboard an aircraft. Earlier this week, Jet2 slapped a fine of £85,000 on a disruptive passenger that forced a plane to return to Stansted Airport, along with a fighter escort back to the airport.
Jet2 Boeing 737-800 departing Birmingham Airport – Image, Economy Class and Beyond.
The passenger has been banned for life by the airline, was arrested on return to the airport on suspicion of assault and endangering an aircraft. The passenger has been bailed until 30th July to appear in court.
According to the airline, the passenger
“displayed a catalogue of aggressive, abusive and dangerous behaviour on the aircraft, which included attempting to open the aircraft doors during the flight”.
The flight was operating a service between London Stansted to Dalaman. It was diverted back to Stansted, with an escort of two RAF Typhoons.
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays has today said:
“<the passenger’s> behaviour was one of the most serious cases of disruptive passenger behaviour that we have experienced. She must now face up to the consequences of her actions, and we will vigorously pursue to recover the costs that we incurred as a result of this divert, as we do with all disruptive passengers. As a family friendly airline, we take an absolutely zero tolerance approach to disruptive behaviour, and we hope that this sobering incident, with its very serious consequences, provides a stark warning to others who think that they can behave in this fashion.”
No excuses
If you want to know the person some of the pictures, Metro has some images of what occurred on board. But there are no excuses for assault or endangering an aircraft.
It might be the summer holiday, it might be time to let your hair down as you jet off to the sun. But you do have responsibilities whilst aboard to act like a human being, and not like the passenger on this flight. And yes, that mean cutting back on alcohol or bringing extra distractions.
But it’s better than being banned from an airline, facing a £85,000 fine and probably criminal charges.
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