A disruptive passenger who forced a Jet2 flight from Belfast to Ibiza to divert to Toulouse has been handed a lifetime ban from the airline. The male passenger was part of a group that was 'aggressive towards the crew and fellow passengers' on Friday, according to Jet2.
Flight LS397 departed Belfast International Airport at about 15:30 BST and was due to land at Ibiza Airport at 19:35 local time. However, it was diverted to Toulouse-Blagnac Airport due to what Jet2 described as 'the deplorable behaviour of a particularly disruptive customer'.
Phil Ward, managing director of Jet2, apologised to passengers on the diverted flight and condemned the behaviour. 'We will not under any circumstances tolerate this type of disgraceful behaviour on board our aircraft,' he said. 'We will be taking further action in support of our crew to ensure he is held accountable for his actions and indeed he has already received a lifetime ban from future Jet2 flights.'
A spokesperson for the airline said that consuming alcohol illicitly contributed to the behaviour. Jet2 reiterated its call for better control of the sale and consumption of tax-free goods purchased at airports, as part of its 'OnBoard Together' campaign.
It is not clear whether the passenger is being held by police in Toulouse or whether he has been charged with any offence.
