British holidaymakers have been issued a warning following an incident that required police intervention at a Tenerife airport.
Incident Overview
A service from London Gatwick to Tenerife South Airport received priority landing authorisation this week after cabin crew reported that 12 unruly passengers were creating disturbances on board and requested police attendance upon touchdown, reports Canarian Weekly.
According to Spanish air traffic controllers, the incident occurred on easyJet flight number EZY8035 while the aircraft was en route to Tenerife.
Police Intervention
Given the number of individuals involved and safety concerns raised on board, controllers reportedly liaised with ground authorities and arranged for police to attend the aircraft stand upon arrival. Officers were instructed to identify and escort the passengers from the aircraft immediately after landing.
To help resolve the situation swiftly and minimise any potential threat to passengers and crew, air traffic controllers gave the flight's arrival into Tenerife South Airport precedence. Despite the reported tensions on board, the aircraft touched down safely at Tenerife South Airport without further complications, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Ongoing Concerns
As of Friday afternoon, officials had yet to disclose information concerning the character of the disruption, the identities of those implicated, or whether any detentions occurred following the plane's arrival.
The episode forms part of a succession of flights arriving in Tenerife that have necessitated intervention from officials owing to unruly passenger conduct, a problem that remains an ongoing concern for airlines and airport authorities throughout Europe.
Warning to Passengers
Travellers journeying to and from the Canary Islands are cautioned that disorderly behaviour aboard an aircraft may lead to police involvement, significant financial penalties, and possible criminal charges.
EasyJet advises passengers that they must conduct themselves properly on flights, and warns: 'Where Passengers misbehave, are disruptive, or otherwise cause problems, all our captains are given authority to resolve the issues as best they can in all the circumstances. This may include the use of physical restraint and, where possible, removal from the flight of such persons.'
The airline adds that if a passenger behaves on board the plane or at the airport in a manner that is considered to endanger any person or property or obstruct the crew in their duties, involves a failure to comply with instructions, includes the use of threatening, abusive, discriminatory or insulting language, or 'disorderly, unpredictable, unsafe, discriminatory, or aggressive' behaviour, they may take action.
'We may take such measures as we deem necessary to prevent continuation of such conduct, including your restraint or removal from the aircraft or the airport, as well as termination of your continued travel on a flight. You may be prosecuted for offences committed on board the aircraft or at the airport,' easyJet writes.
'You will be liable to us for all costs arising from your improper conduct on board the aircraft or at the airport. If a diversion has been necessitated by a passenger's behaviour, resolution of the issue may involve handing over those passengers to security or legal enforcement agents at the diversion point.'
The airline also warns: 'If as a result of your conduct we decide to divert the aircraft for the purpose of offloading you, then you must pay to us all costs and expenses which we incur of any nature whatsoever as a result of, or arising out of, that diversion. If you cause any damage whatsoever or your actions cause us to incur any costs, we will hold you liable for any costs, damages or resulting liabilities incurred.'
