A transatlantic flight operated by World2Fly was forced to make an emergency landing after a passenger allegedly under the influence of drugs went on a violent rampage and began attacking fellow travellers mid-air.
Mid-Air Chaos Over Atlantic
The incident occurred on Thursday when World2Fly Flight W231601 departed from Katowice, Poland, bound for Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. The aircraft had already experienced a two-hour delay before taking off at approximately 10am local time.
Approximately five hours into the journey, chaos erupted when a male passenger became agitated and aggressive, reportedly after consuming psychoactive substances. According to initial reports from Polish newspaper Fakt, the man was under the influence of intoxicants, most likely psychoactive substances when he began directing physical attacks toward other passengers.
Emergency Diversion to Azores
The pilot made the decisive choice to divert the aircraft to Terceira Lajes Airport in the Azores following the disturbance. Flight tracking information clearly shows the abrupt change in course as the plane headed for the Portuguese archipelago in the mid-Atlantic.
Upon landing at approximately 3pm local time, local police detained the aggressive passenger who was responsible for the mid-air violence. The emergency landing procedure was executed successfully despite the challenging circumstances.
Following the removal of the disruptive passenger, the aircraft was able to resume its journey, taking off from Terceira island at around 5pm local time. The flight eventually reached its original destination in Puerto Plata, located in the north-west region of the Dominican Republic.
Growing Trend of Flight Disruptions
This incident represents another concerning example of passenger behaviour forcing flight diversions. Recent months have seen several similar occurrences:
- November 9: A JetBlue flight from Boston to Tampa made an emergency return after a passenger was discovered smoking marijuana in the toilet, causing crew members to inhale the smoke
- September: A Ryanair flight from Milan to London Stansted diverted to Paris after one passenger reportedly ate pages from his passport while another attempted to flush his passport down the aircraft toilet
These incidents highlight the increasing challenges airlines face regarding passenger conduct and the significant costs associated with emergency diversions. Aviation authorities continue to emphasise the importance of following safety protocols and the serious consequences of disruptive behaviour aboard aircraft.
