Ryanair flight forced to turn back to Stansted Airport after ‘fight breaks out’

The flight took off this afternoon: Getty Images
The flight took off this afternoon: Getty Images

A Ryanair flight was forced to turn back to Stansted Airport after a fight broke out between passengers.

Police stormed the airport, in Essex, after the aircraft landed this morning, at about 12.45pm.

Passengers on board the Stansted to Lisbon flight reported seeing two men fight, before the plane returned to the airport after just 15 minutes in the air, Essex Live reports.

One traveller said: “My Ryanair flight from Stansted to Lisbon has returned because of a fight on a plane #Avoid.”

The budget airline said it “will not tolerate” such behaviour.

Ryanair told the Standard: “This flight from London to Lisbon (13 Dec) returned to Stansted Airport shortly after take-off after a number of passengers became disruptive inflight.

“The aircraft landed normally and was met by police upon arrival. Customers disembarked and boarded a replacement aircraft which continued to Lisbon shortly afterwards.

“We will not tolerate unruly or disruptive behaviour at any time and the safety and comfort of our customers, crew and aircraft is our number one priority. This is now a matter for local police.”

A spokeswoman for Essex Police confirmed there had been argument.

The spokeswoman said: "We were called to reports of a passenger being disruptive on a Ryanair flight from Stansted to Lisbon at around 12.45pm today.

"The flight redirected back to Stansted Airport.

"We established there had been an argument between two passengers. After speaking to both individuals, one was removed from the flight and reported for a public order offence."

A spokesman for the airport confirmed one person had been arrested following the disruption.

The spokesman said: “We were called to reports of a passenger being disruptive on a Ryanair flight from Stansted to Lisbon at around 12.45pm today.

“The flight redirected back to Stansted. One person has been detained.”