A Ryanair flight bound for Tenerife South Airport was forced to make an emergency diversion to Faro in Portugal after disorderly passengers sparked chaos on board, according to reports published by the Daily Mail.
The incident took place on Wednesday, 10th June, aboard a flight travelling from Manchester to Tenerife, when the behaviour of two passengers reportedly escalated to the point where the captain deemed it necessary to divert the aircraft.
Witnesses on board described scenes of growing tension after one passenger began walking up and down the aircraft aisle in what was described as an aggressive and attention-seeking manner.
Video footage reportedly showed the man singing, dancing and shouting while other passengers watched in disbelief.
According to eyewitness accounts, the situation worsened when the passenger attempted to return to his seat towards the rear of the aircraft. Another traveller allegedly stuck out a leg, causing him to trip.
Video showing disruptive passengers on board (Source: Facebook / Richard Bibby)
The incident quickly escalated into a heated confrontation, with objects reportedly thrown inside the cabin and several passengers demanding that those involved be removed from the flight.
Captain Diverts Flight to Faro
As tensions continued to rise, the captain decided to divert the aircraft to Faro, in southern Portugal, as a precautionary safety measure.
A Ryanair spokesperson later confirmed that the crew requested police assistance before the aircraft landed.
Upon arrival at Faro Airport, local police boarded the aircraft and escorted the two individuals involved in the disturbance from the plane.
Once the situation had been resolved, the flight was able to continue its journey to Tenerife.
Ryanair reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards disruptive behaviour, stressing that the safety and wellbeing of passengers and crew remains its top priority.
Growing Issue on Flights to the Canary Islands
The incident is the latest in a series of cases involving disruptive passengers on flights travelling to the Canary Islands.
Only days earlier, air traffic controllers reported that a separate flight arriving in Tenerife had alerted authorities to the presence of 12 disruptive passengers on board, prompting police to meet the aircraft upon landing.
Aviation authorities continue to warn that disruptive behaviour can result in passengers being removed from flights, arrested, fined and potentially prosecuted, particularly when safety is compromised.
