EasyJet Flight Diverts to Munich After Drunken Passenger Causes Midair Chaos
An EasyJet flight headed for Kos International Airport in Greece was forced to divert and make an emergency landing at Munich International Airport due to disruptive behavior from an allegedly intoxicated passenger. The incident occurred on Tuesday, approximately two hours into the flight from London Gatwick Airport.
The situation escalated midair as the passenger, displaying clear signs of intoxication, stood up during turbulence and began to verbally confront the flight crew, including berating the Captain. The chaos that ensued prompted the crew to take immediate action to ensure the safety of everyone on board.
A video posted on X by @FlightModeblog captured the tense moment after the emergency landing, showing fellow passengers erupting into cheers as German police escorted the unruly traveler off the aircraft. One passenger reportedly received applause for helping to restrain the disruptive individual until the plane could safely land.
In response to the incident, EasyJet confirmed that the emergency landing was necessitated by a “passenger behaving disruptively on board.” The airline stated that the individual engaged in a verbal altercation with other passengers, damaged the onboard intercom, and fought with the flight crew, which led to a physical confrontation and the passenger’s eventual detention.
“Safety is easyJet’s highest priority, and our cabin crew are trained to assess and act quickly and appropriately in all situations to ensure that the safety of the flight and other passengers is not compromised at any time,” the airline emphasized. “While such incidents are rare, we take them very seriously and do not tolerate abusive or threatening behavior onboard.”
Following the emergency landing, the remaining passengers disembarked and were provided with accommodations, including hotel and meal arrangements, until their rescheduled flight to Greece the next day. EasyJet expressed regret for the inconvenience caused by the incident.
In a related incident, a man in the U.S. was arrested in August for similar disruptive behavior on an American Airlines flight. Eric Nicholas Gapco, 26, faced charges for his unruly actions, which included attempting to open the plane’s door mid-flight and propositioning a flight attendant, resulting in an emergency landing.
Both incidents highlight ongoing concerns regarding passenger behavior on flights and the critical importance of maintaining safety in the air.
