Ryanair Manchester to Ibiza flight diverted by passengers 'scrapping' mid-air
Pandemonium ensued on a Ryanair service from Manchester to Ibiza last Sunday evening (September 8), as passengers became embroiled in violence mid-flight. The FR2626 service, set for the Balearic paradise, was rerouted to Toulouse-Blagnac Airport after a clash among passengers escalated significantly, necessitating police intervention. Viral videos reveal the moment officers entered the cabin once the plane touched down roughly at 9pm British time.
The clips display a male being led away by authorities amid the background noise of other travellers raising their voices and recording the mayhem on their mobiles. In one incident, a woman is seen launching an assault on another individual repeatedly before the police manage to step in. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter.
Additional footage shot by fellow passengers illustrates people obstructing the walkway while crew members alongside police officials attempt to pacify the tumultuous scene. Jamal Stewart, 30, from Leeds, said: "A guy was arrested who'd started on a woman and then we stopped in France. He got arrested and she just lost it and started scrapping with everyone", reports the Manchester Evening News.
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Max Ramsons, another witness, described how a man began causing a commotion and subsequently a physical altercation broke out, leaving the aircraft 'stranded in Toulouse'. After refuelling, the plane restarted its journey to Ibiza, departing after a delay of approximately an hour and a half. The detour made by the airliner can be traced on FlightRadar24, showcasing a double loop over southern France prior to the unscheduled stop in Toulouse.
Ryanair has issued a statement following an incident where a 'small group' of 'unruly' passengers caused disruption on a flight, leading to two individuals being 'offloaded' in France and the involvement of local police. The airline's spokesperson explained: "This flight from Manchester to Ibiza diverted to Toulouse after a small group of passengers became disruptive inflight.
"The crew called ahead for police assistance, who met the aircraft upon landing at Toulouse and offloaded two passengers before this flight continued to Ibiza. We sincerely apologise to passengers for any inconvenience caused as a result of these unruly passengers' behaviour, which was beyond Ryanair's control. This is now a matter for local police."