A Jet2 flight was forced to make an early landing less than halfway through its journey after a “drunk” woman began attacking her fellow passengers.
The flight, from Manchester to Larnaca in Cyprus, had to be rerouted to Cologne in Germany amid the chaos.
Passengers faced an hours-long delay in Cologne (pictured) after the unexpected landing
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WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
The British woman, 41, was arrested upon arrival before being deported back to the UK.
German police said she was “heavily intoxicated” – and was hauled into a station in Cologne.
Police spokesman Mathias Kampfer said: “In consultation with Cologne police, she was taken to the station for further processing and placed in police custody to sober up.”
Flyers then faced hours at their unexpected destination after their plane suffered a “technical issue”.
IN-FLIGHT CHAOS – READ MORE:
The British woman, 41, was arrested upon arrival before being deported back to the UK
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PA
The Jet2 journey later resumed shortly after midnight, arriving just after 5am local time in Larnaca.
German police went on to issue a stern statement urging flyers against drinking heavily in the air.
“Even small amounts (of alcohol) can have a significantly stronger effect than on the ground due to the unique stresses of flying – such as lower air pressure and altered oxygen concentrations,” it said.
“Aggressive behaviour not only endangers other passengers but can also severely impair the safety of a flight.
The flight, from Manchester to Larnaca in Cyprus, had to be rerouted to Cologne in Germany amid the chaos
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FLIGHTRADAR24
“The Federal Police therefore urges responsible consumption of alcohol in air travel.”
Under the Air Navigation Order 2016 in Britain, it is against the law to either be on or enter an aircraft while drunk.
Penalties for being drunk on board include a maximum fine of some £5,000 – and two years in prison.
Regarding crew members, the Order adds: “A person must not, when acting as a member of the crew of any aircraft or being carried in any aircraft for the purpose of acting as a member of the crew, be under the influence of drink or a drug to such an extent as to impair their capacity so to act.”
