Ryanair plane makes forced landing to remove drunk couple from aircraft

A Ryanair plane on route to Dublin had to divert to North Spain yesterday.

The reason behind the planes diversion was due to a drunk couple on board who were reportedly getting "aggressive" and "violent". According to The Sun, the couple began targeting other passengers as they started getting rowdy at 35,000 ft in the air. The pilot of Ryanair flight FR7063 then made the quick decision to divert the plane to Santander to remove the couple. Police met the plane on the grounds of the airport, where the couple were taken into custody. The plane remained on the the runway for one hour before taking off again and back onto its scheduled route for Dublin. A spokesman for the Civil Guard in Cantabria spoke on the incident saying:

“The pilot asked us to attend because he didn’t want two people who were on the plane and being aggressive to continue their journey." “The couple left the aircraft voluntarily after we went on board and did not have to be removed by force." “Their personal details were recorded and they were informed they were being reported for breaching air security." “They won’t face any criminal charges but are likely to receive a fine from AESA, the state body that will now move things forward." “I cannot comment on what happened in the plane because it wasn’t something the Civil Guard witnessed. The message from the plane was that they were being aggressive.”

Ryanair also released this statement on the issue saying the following:

“This flight from Alicante to Dublin (10 Jan) diverted to Santander after two passengers became disruptive inflight. The aircraft landed normally and the passengers were removed and detained by police upon arrival, before the aircraft continued to Dublin. We will not tolerate unruly or disruptive behaviour at any time and the safety and comfort of our customers, crew and aircraft is our number one priority. This is now a matter for local police." "This is exactly why we are calling for significant changes to prohibit the sale of alcohol at airports, such as a two-drink limit per passenger and no alcohol sales before 10am. It’s incumbent on the airports to introduce these preventative measures to curb excessive drinking and the problems it creates, rather than allowing passengers to drink to excess before their flights."

It is expected the couple will receive a fine for breaching air security.