An alarming incident on a Ryanair flight enroute to Tenerife from the UK this morning (Monday), led to emergency action by air traffic controllers and the police being on standby at the south airport.
According to the report of the incident, a passenger on board flight FR3152 from East Midlands to Tenerife, was “engaged in behaviour severe enough” that the flight had to adjust its route to reduce travel time and reach Tenerife as quickly as possible.
The flight crew informed air traffic control of the situation, who cleared the path for the plane to approach and land as quickly as possible so that the police board the plane and apprehend the individual involved.
While specific details of the passenger’s actions remain undisclosed, sources indicate that the incident culminated in an extraordinary disturbance, which included him urinating in the aisle.
As soon as the plane came to a standstill at just after 11:00am, officers boarded and escorted him from the plane. He is reportedly facing severe consequences for disorderly conduct on a commercial flight.
In a statement, Ryanair said: “The crew of this flight from East Midlands to Tenerife called ahead for police assistance after a small number of passengers became disruptive onboard. The aircraft was met by local police upon arrival at Tenerife Airport and these passengers were removed. This is now a matter for the local police.”
Air traffic controllers posted details of the incident on X stating: “The crew of a flight arriving from the UK to Tenerife South requested police presence upon landing due to an unruly passenger on board. We prioritised their approach by shortening the route where feasible and managing surrounding traffic to ensure coordination with the police.”
The incident highlights the challenges of maintaining order and safety in-flight, emphasising the importance of clear protocols for managing disruptive passengers, to safeguard passengers and crew alike.
