AN EASYJET flight from Glasgow was forced to make an emergency landing in Italy as two “intoxicated” women were thrown off the plane.
The flight from Scotland to Hurghada in Egypt on Wednesday, March 26, was forced to make an emergency landing in the Italian city of Bari after two passengers, who appeared to be intoxicated, caused a disturbance, it has been reported.
The two women began raising their voices when the flight took off, annoying fellow passengers and causing a scene on board, according to the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera.
Cabin crew on the flight reportedly tried to calm the two women but were unable to.
The two passengers continued to shout and began walking up and down the airplane despite being instructed to remain in their seats.
A control tower at Bari in Puglia in southern Italy was informed by the pilot that they would have to make an emergency stop.
The easyJet flight had left Glasgow at 10.53am and made the emergency landing at 3.31pm local time, with police arresting the women for the interruption of a public service.
The women were arrested under Article 331 of the Italian criminal code, which carries a minimum sentence of a fine of at least €516 and, in serious cases, can carry a prison term of six months to a year.
The flight was then able to leave Bari at 4.30pm and arrive in Egypt at 6.57pm local time.
An easyJet spokesperson said: “Flight EZY3165 from Glasgow to Hurghada on 26 March diverted to Bari and was met by police due to two passengers behaving disruptively onboard. Once the passengers had left the aircraft, the flight continued to Hurghada.
“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 customers are not compromised at any time. While such incidents are rare, we take them very seriously and do not tolerate disruptive behaviour onboard. The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is always easyJet's priority.”
