A flight was diverted after two passengers from Kent became rowdy on board and were arrested after landing.
The easyJet service from Gatwick Airport to Antalya in Turkey was forced to land in Kosovo following an incident involving a man and woman who were not travelling together.
A Kent woman was reportedly “swigging vodka” on the flight. Picture: Unknown
They reportedly became acquainted on board and were said to have been flirting during the early part of the flight, before allegedly becoming antisocial shortly after departure.
According to reports given to The Sun, the woman was drinking vodka from a bottle and allegedly spat at another traveller after being asked to stop.
A confrontation followed, with other passengers stepping in as the situation escalated in the cabin.
One witness said: “It was terrifying behaviour.
“When they were asked to stop drinking, it all kicked off.
The easyJet flight was diverted. Picture: Stock
“Passengers were forced to intervene, and a riot ensued.
“Kids were screaming. It was a packed family jet, but it was more like the Wild West.”
It is also reported the man involved claimed he had previously been in prison. He allegedly threatened anyone who complained, further alarming those on board.
Cabin crew are understood to have followed standard safety procedures for managing disruptive behaviour before the decision was taken to divert the aircraft.
Police later boarded the plane after landing in Kosovo and removed both individuals.
easyJet Airbus A321s at Gatwick Airport
The flight later continued to Antalya, arriving around three hours behind schedule.
Diversions of this nature are typically made when crew and pilots judge that safety, order, or well-being onboard cannot be maintained, and where disruption cannot be resolved in flight.
The incident comes amid increased scrutiny of disruptive behaviour in the air industry, with airlines considering tougher sanctions.
Budget carrier Jet2 has previously proposed a Britain-wide “blanket ban” on abusive flyers. This would see disruptive individuals barred not only from specific airlines, but potentially across all UK carriers through shared enforcement mechanisms.
An easyJet spokesperson said: “We do not tolerate disruptive behaviour. The safety of customers and crew is always our highest priority.”