A Ryanair flight was forced to turn around and grounded at Manchester Airport after a passenger attempted to ‘open the emergency exit mid air’.
The flight, bound for Agadir, Morocco, took off just after 9am on the morning of August 25, however was forced to divert and land back into Manchester Airport just over an hour later, according to Flight Radar 24 and Flight Aware.
The diversion was understood to have been caused by a passenger attempting to ‘open the emergency exit’ during the flight’s journey.
It spent a mere one hour and seven minutes in the air before landing back into Manchester Airport.
Despite her attempts, the woman only managed to get the plastic covering off, while her fellow passengers desperately tried to stop her before making cabin crew onboard aware of the situation.
The deviant passenger was eventually removed from an emergency exit seat, with the captain forced to remain by the exit for the remainder of the flight.
Upon the flight’s arrival into Manchester Airport, the passenger was understood to have been escorted off the flight by Greater Manchester Police.
While the plane sat on the tarmac, engineers came onboard the flight and inspected any possible damage, with some parts of the plane having to be replaced before it could take off once again.
Greater Manchester Police were pictured boarding the plane at Manchester Airport
Police were seen opening one of the overhead compartments on the plane as they removed the passenger
The flight, bound for Agadir, Morocco, took off just after 9am on the morning of August 25, however was forced to divert and land back into Manchester Airport just over an hour later, according to Flight Radar 24 and Flight Aware (file image)
Greater Manchester Police confirmed that they received a report regarding a passenger attempting to ‘open the plane’s emergency exit’.
A spokesperson for Ryanair said: ‘This flight from Manchester to Agadir (25 Aug) diverted to back to Manchester shortly after takeoff after a passenger became disruptive onboard.
‘Crew called ahead for police assistance, who met the aircraft upon landing at Manchester Airport and offloaded this passenger before this flight continued to Agadir.
‘Ryanair has a strict zero tolerance policy towards passenger misconduct and will continue to take decisive action to combat unruly passenger behaviour, ensuring that all passengers and crew travel in a safe and respectful environment, without unnecessary disruption.’
When approached by The Daily Mail, Manchester Airport confirmed that the incident took place, but declined to comment.
The flight eventually restarted its journey towards Al-Massira International Airport at 11.22am and is still completing its journey, Flight Aware data shows.
It comes after Ryanair announced earlier this year that passengers who disrupt Ryanair flights could now face a hefty fine after the airline announced plans for a ‘major clampdown’ on ‘unruly behaviour’.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed that they received a report regarding a passenger attempting to ‘open the plane’s emergency exit’
Despite her attempts, the woman was only managed to get the plastic covering off, as her fellow passengers desperately tried to stop her and eventually made cabin crew aware (file image)
The woman was arrested upon the flight’s arrival into Manchester Airport, Greater Manchester Police confirmed. When approached by The Daily Mail, Manchester Airport confirmed that the incident took place, but declined to comment (file image)
Tourists who have to be taken off planes – delaying the journeys of their fellow flyers – will face a £500 fine, the airline has announced.
Europe’s largest carrier, which takes thousands of revellers to resorts and cities across Europe and beyond every year, said it would now come down on hard on those who stop other passengers enjoying a stress-free flight.
A statement released by Michael O’Leary’s airline said: ‘Passengers expect to travel in a comfortable and stress-free environment with an on-time arrival, free from unnecessary disruption caused by a tiny number of unruly passengers.’
A spokesperson for Ryanair added: ‘It is unacceptable that passengers are made to suffer unnecessary disruption because of one unruly passenger’s behaviour‘.
Travellers who become aggressive towards staff or display drunken behaviour that compromises the safety of others will be offloaded and then sent a bill.
The carrier said: ‘Ryanair is committed to tackling unruly passenger behaviour for the benefit of its passengers and crew, and will continue to pursue disruptive passengers for civil damages, but at a minimum, they will now be issued with a £500 fine.’
