Importance Score: 72 / 100 🔴
Ryanair Flight from Manchester to Rhodes Descends into Chaos Due to Unruly Passenger
A Ryanair flight en route from Manchester to Rhodes experienced significant disruption last week after crew members were compelled to restrain an unruly passenger. The incident unfolded on April 3rd when the individual, reportedly intoxicated, refused to comply with crew instructions during the flight’s descent, causing the pilot to abort landing and take corrective action. This flight disruption highlights ongoing concerns within the airline industry regarding passenger behavior and alcohol consumption.
Passenger Restrained After Disruptive Behavior
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the passenger in question was behaving erratically and shouting at the cabin crew. According to reports, staff had confiscated two bottles of alcohol from him and declined to serve him further drinks. Despite repeated directives to be seated for landing, the passenger remained defiant.
Pilot Aborts Initial Landing Attempt
The individual’s refusal to sit down during the initial approach forced the pilot to make the decision to abort the landing procedure. The aircraft was subsequently forced to circle before making a second, successful landing attempt at Rhodes Airport.
Onboard Video Captures Restraint
Mobile phone footage from passengers captured the moments when Ryanair staff, assisted by fellow travelers, attempted to manage the situation. A video clip shows crew members surrounding the man, with one staff member clearly instructing him to “Sit down, now.” To ensure the safety of the flight and other passengers, crew members resorted to using spare seatbelts to physically restrain the passenger in his seat.
Police Intervention Upon Arrival
Upon arrival at Rhodes International Airport, law enforcement officials were waiting to board the aircraft. Separate video documentation shows police officers escorting the passenger off the plane. The individual was subsequently removed from the aircraft and is likely to face further investigation by local authorities.
Passenger Account Details Onset of Incident
Emily, a 26-year-old passenger who witnessed and filmed the incident, provided a firsthand account. She stated that the flight was proceeding normally until cabin crew approached her and her partner to request a seat change. This was to accommodate a young girl and her father moving to the front of the plane due to the disruptive passenger in the rear.
Emily recounted, “We were together so they asked someone else instead who moved and that’s when I got made aware of this guy being really disruptive at the back of the plane.”
Spare Seatbelts Used to Subdue Passenger
Emily further described the escalating situation, stating that “cabin crew had to get two spare seatbelts and tried pinning the man down on his seat.” Despite these efforts, the passenger reportedly continued to resist.
She elaborated, “He got out of the seat again. Staff were shouting at him, telling him to sit down and he was squaring up to staff.”
Emily reiterated that “He had already had two bottles of alcohol confiscated off him,” suggesting alcohol consumption as a contributing factor to his behavior.
Pre-Flight Alcohol Warning Issued
According to Emily, airline personnel had used the intercom system to issue a warning to passengers regarding alcohol consumption. The announcement stated that anyone found consuming duty-free alcohol purchased before the flight would face police action upon landing unless the alcohol was stowed away immediately. This highlights the airline’s attempts to manage alcohol-related issues onboard.
“Scary” Circling of the Island
Emily described the aborted landing and subsequent circling of the island as a “scary” experience for passengers. She recounted, “As we were supposed to come down to land I could hear cabin crew shout at him to sit down. We had to go back up to circle the island until he would sit down again which was quite scary.”
She concluded by noting that passengers were held on the plane after landing until “police came up to take him off. He got taken off on his own.”
Ryanair Statement on Passenger Misconduct
A Ryanair spokesperson confirmed the incident, stating: “The crew of this flight from Manchester to Rhodes on April 3 called ahead for police assistance after a passenger became disruptive onboard. The aircraft was met by local police upon arrival at Rhodes Airport and this passenger was removed.”
The airline emphasized its stance on passenger behavior, affirming, “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.”
The Ryanair representative concluded, “This is a matter for local police,” indicating that further action regarding the passenger would be handled by Greek authorities.
Renewed Calls for Pre-Flight Drink Limits
This incident follows recent calls from Ryanair to implement stricter regulations regarding alcohol consumption at airports. Last month, the airline renewed its appeals for a pre-flight drink limit following a separate incident at Dublin Airport involving an intoxicated passenger.
Dublin Airport Rampage Incident
In the Dublin Airport incident on March 17th, footage circulated online showing a man, believed to be intoxicated, causing damage in Terminal 1. Dublin Airport officials confirmed an arrest after the passenger caused “significant damage,” coinciding with increased travel for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Ryanair reportedly imposed a 10-year ban on the passenger involved in the Dublin Airport incident and reiterated its demand for a two-drink limit at airport bars, according to Irish news outlet Newstalk.
Ryanair Chief Advocates for Drink Limits
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary previously stated in January that limiting alcoholic beverages served to passengers would enhance “safer travel experience for passengers and crews.”
Airline Condemns Lack of EU Action
A Ryanair spokesperson also criticized European governments for “repeatedly” failing to “take action when disruptive passengers threaten aircraft safety and force them to divert.”
The spokesperson urged, “It is time that European Union authorities take action to limit the sale of alcohol at airports.”
Highlighting current airline practices, the spokesperson noted, “Airlines like Ryanair already restrict and limit the sale of alcohol on board our aircraft, particularly in disruptive passenger cases. However, during flight delays, passengers are consuming excess alcohol at airports without any limit on purchase or consumption.”
Increased Disorder on Flights
Ryanair initially called for a two-drink limit in August of last year, citing a rise in disruptive behavior on flights. O’Leary acknowledged a “spike” in passenger disorder during the summer months, particularly on routes to popular party destinations like Ibiza.
He commented on potential solutions stating, “If the price of putting a drink limit on the airport, where the problem is being created, is putting a drink limit on board the aircraft, we’ve no problem with that.” O’Leary emphasized that “The real issue is how do we stop these people getting drunk at airports particularly as, like this summer, we’ve had a huge spike in air traffic control delays.”
Legal Action Against Disruptive Passengers
Ryanair’s renewed focus on drink limits coincides with the airline’s announcement of taking legal action to recover losses from disruptive passengers. This forms part of a broader “major misconduct clampdown” aimed at reducing incidents and ensuring passenger safety and comfort.