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Scenes of in-flight drama are becoming more and more commonplace, often due to over-excited holidaymakers having a drink too many, but this behaviour was taken to the extreme last week by one passenger aboard a Ryanair flight from Liverpool to Tenerife.

 

Early reports on Thursday July 4 that the flight had been diverted to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, northern Spain, because of a “problematic” passenger failed to even hint at the chaos that was unfolding in the air. Late in the evening, the flight crew radioed air traffic control and requested an emergency landing, asking that police and an ambulance be ready on the runway.

 

Videos later released on social media showed the true seriousness of the situation. The “troublesome” passenger, wearing a black T-shirt, was filmed punching a flight attendant straight in the face when he was prevented from opening the overhead lockers. Another traveller leaped to his feet and tackled the man, while four others joined the fray and tried to restrain him.

 

When police boarded the plane in Galicia, they were met with the sight of the violent passenger lying on the floor. Cabin crew members had tied him up using spare seat belts.

 

The man was escorted by the Guardia Civil to a hospital in La Coruña where he was treated for minor injuries. The next day, he was discharged and caught a flight back to the UK.

 

According to official sources, an incident report was sent to the Spanish Air Safety Agency, and they’ll ultimately be the ones to decide whether or not to file an official complaint against the British man.

 

“On these routes it is quite normal to find people in poor condition due to alcohol or drug use. They don’t even have to travel in a group. I have had passengers travelling alone who have fought with parents,” one Liverpool-based flight attendant revealed.

 

However, she added that “something very serious” needs to happen for a flight to be grounded.

 

 

Image: TikTok