A Ryanair passenger was removed from a flight by police after repeatedly vaping in the cabin, despite warnings from crew. The incident occurred on a three-and-a-half-hour flight from Chania International Airport, Crete, to East Midlands Airport on Monday.
Passenger caught vaping multiple times
A traveller on board said the passenger began using an electronic cigarette about an hour into the flight. She was asked to stop but was caught vaping two more times, the witness said. After a final warning from a flight attendant, the pilot announced over the tannoy that if she vaped again, her details would be passed to police and she would be taken away on arrival.
The passenger was then caught vaping again, prompting the flight attendant to remove the vape and request her boarding pass and passport, according to the witness.
Police boarding and arrest
The witness said: "After she got caught vaping twice, the tannoy came on, and the pilot said that vaping was not acceptable on the plane. They said if it happens again, her details would be taken and she would be met at the airport by the police. The flight attendant then went and sat behind the vaping passenger and watched her. As soon as she vaped, the attendant asked her for her boarding pass and passport - and took her vape away. The mood on board was one of apathy, like, come on, can you not? A few people were exchanging laughs, and there were a few raised eyebrows."
Police boarded the plane when it arrived around 1am on Tuesday and removed the passenger. A video sent to Sell Us Your Story shows the removal.
Police and Ryanair statements
A Leicestershire Police spokesperson said: "On arrival into the UK, a 30-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of smoking in a UK-registered aircraft at a time when smoking was prohibited and dealt with by way of an out-of-court disposal."
A Ryanair spokesperson said: "Ryanair has a strict zero tolerance policy towards passenger misconduct. We will continue to take decisive action to combat unruly passenger behaviour, ensuring that all passengers and crew travel in a respectful and stress-free environment, without unnecessary disruption."
