A woman in her 50s was arrested after a disturbing incident on an EasyJet flight to Manchester where she allegedly used “atrocious and racist” language towards fellow passengers. The situation quickly escalated after the flight departed from Belfast, with witnesses claiming the woman directed racial slurs at passengers, including derogatory comments towards Muslims and Ukrainians. Witnesses on the flight, such as Shauna Corr, described the woman’s behaviour as shocking and unacceptable, causing discomfort among other passengers, including children.
Passengers on the flight can be seen in footage confronting the woman, urging her to stop her abusive language. A steward intervened, warning the woman that the police would be called if her behaviour continued. Despite the warning, the woman allegedly persisted in shouting and swearing, leading to her eventual removal from the aircraft by authorities upon landing in Manchester. Shauna commended the stewards for handling the situation effectively, despite the woman’s disruptive conduct throughout the flight.
Shauna recalled that the woman’s inappropriate behaviour started during the journey, gradually escalating as the flight progressed. She expressed surprise at such behaviour from a middle-aged woman and emphasised that it was not something one would expect from any individual. EasyJet confirmed that the flight crew responded promptly to the incident, ensuring the safety and well-being of all passengers. The airline reiterated a zero-tolerance policy towards disruptive and abusive behaviour on their flights to maintain a safe environment for everyone onboard.
A spokesperson from Greater Manchester Police stated that they responded to reports of a disorderly passenger onboard a flight from Belfast to Manchester. The woman, in her 50s, was arrested on suspicion of being drunk onboard an aircraft and was taken into custody for questioning. Such incidents are deemed rare, and GMP affirmed their commitment to upholding safety and security standards for air travel. Passengers commended the actions taken by authorities and the airline staff to address the disruptive behaviour effectively.
Incidents of disruptive behaviour on flights are taken seriously by airlines and law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew members. Passengers have the right to travel in a secure and respectful environment, free from offensive conduct or harassment. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of adherence to acceptable behaviour standards during air travel, with consequences for those who violate these norms. Authorities continue to investigate the incident further to prevent such occurrences and maintain a safe flying experience for all travellers.