Julian Bray aviation expert writes: Fourteen Jet.2 passengers from Glasgow were removed from a Tenerife bound jet and banned for life for allegedly threatening onboard airline cabin crew. The Jet2.com flight, which started in Glasgow, had to be diverted to Faro, Portugal late on Friday Sept 4th.
An emergency landing was requested in Faro on the Algarve, Portugal as the men’s behaviour worsened. Portuguese police boarded the jet, took all 14 into custody and removed them, and their luggage from the aircraft.
A Jet2.com statement issued later read: “The Glasgow to Tenerife flight diverted to Faro on Friday evening so the airline could offload a group of 14 disruptive passengers. Their behaviour towards the cabin crew got so aggressive and verbally abusive that the captain made the immediate decision to divert for the safety of both his team and the other customers. The group were escorted off the aircraft by police in Faro, Portugal and the flight continued on to Tenerife without them. Jet2.com has already issued all fourteen passengers with lifetime bans and is working closely with the authorities, who are investigating the incident.”
It is understood the flight was delayed in Faro by about three hours and passengers including infants did not get to Tenerife South airport (due at 7pm local ) until after 10pm.
Jet2.com have a widely publicised zero tolerance policy called "ONBOARD TOGETHER" it specifically targets drunk and rowdy passengers following a series of incidents on their popular budget holiday flights.
Under the Jet2 Onboard Together programme they specifically warn passengers of the effects of alcohol at high altitude. Staff are instructed to intervene quickly with disruptive passengers, and additionally have the power to request diverting the aircraft to the nearest airport. The diversion policy is however a substantial drain on airline financial resources, and Jet2 have led the way in recovering costs through the legal process.
Jet2.com managing director Phil Ward commented: “We will not tolerate disruptive and abusive people who threaten our crew and unnerve other passengers. We launched Onboard Together to put a stop to such offensive behaviour. People who are looking forward to their holiday shouldn’t have to put up with it. We have empowered our staff to take whatever action they deem appropriate to stamp it out, including diverting flights if necessary.”
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In July, Jet2 banned two men, Paul Strain, 26, and Kevin Brady, for life following “extreme antisocial behaviour” on a flight from Glasgow to Dalaman in Turkey. They also banned Brady’s girlfriend Claire Marshall for six months and refused to let any of them on the return flight to Scotland.
All three allegedly became abusive towards cabin crew after they were refused drinks from the bar. Jet 2 claimed the two men continued to use obscene language despite warnings.
The airline also banned 21-year-old Jamie Ferguson following anti-social behaviour on a Glasgow-Ibiza flight in July, and claimed £2,700 from him for losses they suffered as a result.
Jet2 are seeking the introduction of a a national 'Yobbo' database of rowdy passengers to deny boarding with all registered airlines, not just jet2.com.
Sources: Faro News Agency, CNS, Daily Record, AFP
JULIAN BRAY +44(0)1733 345581, Journalist, Broadcaster, Aviation Security & Airline Operations Expert, Travel / Maritime & Cruise Industry, EQUITY, NUJ, Broadcast COOBE ISDN ++44 (0)1733 345020 (DUAL CODEC) SKYPE: JULIAN.BRAY.UK e&oe Cell: 07944 217476 or iPhone 0743 530 3145 www.aviationcomment.com # # # VENDOR 10476453 http://feeds.feedburner.com/BraysDuckhouseBlog
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