A 28-year-old man has been arrested after a drunken outburst on an EasyJet flight from London Gatwick to Alicante, during which he allegedly tried to open the aircraft door while still in the air. The incident occurred on 29 May, forcing the crew and other passengers to restrain the individual until police met the plane on arrival.
According to reports, the passenger was already intoxicated when he boarded but his condition worsened during the flight, exacerbated by altitude. He became involved in a fight with other travellers, insulting and attacking them before turning on cabin crew who intervened. The situation escalated when he attempted to open the cabin door, apparently unaware the plane was still flying, and also tried to enter the cockpit.
Local media reported that the captain contacted Alicante control tower to warn of the disruptive passenger, who had to be immobilised with help from fellow travellers. The Civil Guard arrested him upon landing at Alicante-El Altet airport. EasyJet confirmed the incident, stating: 'Our cabin crew are trained to assess all situations and to act quickly and appropriately to ensure that the safety of the flight and other passengers is not compromised at any time.'
Alicante airport has one of the highest rates of passenger conflicts in Spain, with 184 complaints last year, second only to Tenerife Sur-Reina Sofía's 189. The arrested man faces potential charges related to compromising flight safety.
