[rank_math_breadcrumb]

Politics

Urinating passenger causes in-flight ruckus — and flight crew is forced to divert plane

Updated: 09-11-2024, 09.53 AM

This brought new meaning to the term “jet stream.”

Flyers seem to be increasingly treating planes like lavatories with wings. This time, a Ryanair flight was forced to expedite its landing after several passengers engaged in disruptive behavior — including one hellion urinating in the cabin.

“This is now a matter for local police,” Ryanair reps told The Independent while recounting the disturbance, which occurred Monday, Nov. 4, on flight FR3152 from Derby in the UK to Tenerife, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands.

The 4½-hour flight went sideways after several passengers started to cause an unspecified ruckus, and sources told Travel and Tour World that their rampage culminated in the gross ep-pee-sode.

Upon arrival at Tenerife Airport, the plane was met by local police, and the “passengers were removed,” Ryanair reps reported. MICHELE MARAVIGLIA/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockUpon arrival at Tenerife Airport, the plane was met by local police, and the “passengers were removed,” Ryanair reps reported. MICHELE MARAVIGLIA/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Upon arrival at Tenerife Airport, the plane was met by local police, and the “passengers were removed,” Ryanair reps reported. MICHELE MARAVIGLIA/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O’Leary speaks during a press conference after the airline’s annual general meeting, in Dublin, Ireland, on Sept. 12. REUTERSRyanair Chief Executive Michael O’Leary speaks during a press conference after the airline’s annual general meeting, in Dublin, Ireland, on Sept. 12. REUTERS

Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O’Leary speaks during a press conference after the airline’s annual general meeting, in Dublin, Ireland, on Sept. 12. REUTERS

Fearing for the safety and comfort of those aboard, crewmembers notified air traffic control that they’d need to speed up their arrival and would require aid from authorities upon arrival.

In response, ground authorities “prioritized their approach by shortening the route where feasible” and managed “surrounding traffic to ensure coordination with the police,” per an X post by air traffic control, Travel and Tour World reported.

Upon arrival at Tenerife Airport, the plane was met by local police and the “passengers were removed,” Ryanair reps reported.

They could be subject to severe legal consequences given that those engaged in inflight disorderly conduct are often subject to fines, travel bans and even jail time.

Over the summer, a passenger was fined nearly $400 for urinating in a cup during a delay in deplaning after landing at Australia’s Kingsford Smith International Airport.

Despite the steep penalties, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has reported an increase in unruly passenger incidents, including abuse, threats, and even jeopardizing the safety of the flight itself.

Earlier this week, an unruly passenger attempted to open the emergency door on a flight from Brazil to Panama but was thwarted after passengers beat him to a pulp and restrained him for authorities.

Leave a Comment

Design by proseoblogger