An EasyJet airplane that was flying from Manchester to Tenerife was forced to make an emergency landing in Faro, Portugal after a fight broke out mid-air between a group of men two hours after the journey started.
According to witnesses, a group of four men started punching each other at the back of the plane and when passengers and the air-hostesses tried to settle them and tone the quarrel down by carrying them to the front seat corner, they started fighting again, which led to one of the men involved in the brawl spitting on the eye of a woman.
“We couldn’t believe what was happening. We just wanted to go on holiday,” According to an eyewitness, Nathan Belford to Independent UK.
Nathan said the men were all travelling for a party and then ‘howled with rage’ and picked a fight with cabin crew and another group of guys when things didn’t go their way.
“They complained bitterly to the stewardess and said some passengers started pinching drinks from the front of the plane”.
“Things first kicked off when the group at the back got into a fight. Punches were thrown, and the stewardess broke them up.
“But then they kicked off again, and passengers actually intervened to calm them down.
“One woman got in the way, but a guy spat in her eye. It was disgusting.
After the emergency landing, airport police arrested 7 men and took them into custody.
An easyJet spokesman said: “We can confirm that flight EZY1903 from Manchester to Tenerife on 3 October diverted to Faro as a result of some passengers on board behaving disruptively and was met by police on arrival.
“The passengers were removed by police and the aircraft continued onto Tenerife.
“easyJet’s cabin crew are trained to assess and evaluate all situations and to act quickly and appropriately to ensure that the safety of the flight and other passengers is not compromised at any time.
“Whilst such incidents are rare, we take them very seriously, and do not tolerate abusive or threatening behaviour on board.
“The safety and wellbeing of customers and crew is our highest priority.”
