The flight to Agadir had to be diverted back to Manchester Airport as Ryanair says it has a ‘zero tolerance policy’
Greater Manchester Police boarded the plane and a woman was arrested(Image: Connor Leon)
Footage reveals the moment a Ryanair passenger was removed from a plane after a woman attempted to ‘open an emergency exit’ mid-flight, according to a fellow passenger.
A video recorded by a passenger on the plane, seen by the Manchester Evening News, shows Greater Manchester Police officers removing belongings from the overhead bins above the seats.
The officers can then be seen walking down the aisle towards the front exit of the plane.
The Ryanair flight from Manchester to Agadir, in Morocco, had to be diverted back to Manchester Airport this morning (August 25) after taking off at 9am.
Greater Manchester Police officers boarded the plane when it returned an hour later.
A woman was arrested when the flight safely returned to the airport, a Greater Manchester Police spokesperson has confirmed.
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A Ryanair spokesperson revealed what happened on the plane in a statement.
An airline spokesperson the Manchester Evening News: “This flight from Manchester to Agadir (25 Aug) diverted to back to Manchester shortly after take-off after a passenger became disruptive onboard.
“Crew called ahead for police assistance, who met the aircraft upon landing at Manchester Airport and offloaded this passenger before this flight continued to Agadir.
Police officers can be seen removing items from the overhead bins(Image: Connor Leon)
“Ryanair has a strict zero tolerance policy towards passenger misconduct and will continue to take decisive action to combat unruly passenger behaviour, ensuring that all passengers and crew travel in a safe and respectful environment, without unnecessary disruption.”
Fellow passengers attempted to stop the woman trying to open the exit and alerted cabin crew, who then brought in the flight’s captain, the eyewitness told the Manchester Evening News.
The flight was diverted back to Manchester(Image: Flight Radar 24)
The passenger was removed from the emergency exit seat and the captain had to remain by the exit.
The plane was landed and the woman involved was ‘escorted off the plane by Greater Manchester Police’, said the fellow passenger.
Engineers were then brought on to inspect the damage and replace parts, according the witness.
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A passenger on the plane told the Manchester Evening News: “The Ryanair flight RK1266 [from Manchester] for Agadir in Morocco [was] diverted back to Manchester Airport due to a passenger attempting to open emergency exit.
“However she was only able to get the plastic covering off and as a result was unsuccessful, as other passengers stopped her and made cabin crew aware of the situation at 9.30am, who then made the captain aware.
Engineers were brought to inspect the damage(Image: Connor Leon)
“The passenger was moved from the emergency exit seat and the captain remained at the emergency exit until we landed back at Manchester Airport.
“The plane landed safely and the passenger involved was escorted off the plane by Greater Manchester Police.
“Engineers came to check the door and replaced the plastic covers.”
The flight, RUK1266, then restarted its journey at 11.22am, as per Flight Aware data.