LUTON- An EasyJet (U2) flight from Antalya (AYT) to London Gatwick (LGW) was forced to make an emergency landing in Bari, Italy after a teenage passenger caused severe onboard disruption. The incident unfolded when the passenger assaulted the cabin crew and attempted to open the aircraft door mid-flight, leading to chaos and fear among passengers.
This unexpected diversion left passengers stranded overnight, raising concerns about safety protocols and customer care during such emergencies.
Photo: By Curimedia – Airbus A319-111 Easyjet G-EZDF “Only Lyon”, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=26094320EasyJet Flight Emergency Landing
The ordeal began when a 16-year-old passenger, seated near a 10-year-old girl, became increasingly agitated, allegedly due to the child coughing.
Witness accounts describe the teenager confronting the child and her mother, escalating the situation into verbal and physical threats.
The cabin crew attempted to defuse the situation by relocating the girl and her mother, but the teenager’s aggressive behavior persisted.
Matters took a critical turn when she attempted to open the aircraft door mid-flight, damaging its handle in the process. Quick action by the crew prevented further escalation, with staff physically restraining the passenger to ensure the safety of everyone onboard.
For safety reasons, the pilot decided to divert the flight to Bari Airport. Upon landing, Italian authorities detained the disruptive passenger.
Passengers disembarked to find police, fire crews, and maintenance staff awaiting them, emphasizing the seriousness of the incident.
While EasyJet’s swift response ensured the safety of all onboard, passengers expressed frustration over the aftermath of the incident. Many were transported to substandard accommodations, exacerbating their distress.
Photo: OE-IVU NCE | MSN 7637 A320-214 / A320 / A320-200 EASYJET EUROPE | FlickrEasyJet Response
Passengers described the flight as a “nightmare,” with some reporting long-lasting emotional and physical impacts.
Nadine, a 39-year-old passenger, recounted her harrowing experience, stating that the lack of immediate communication and inadequate post-incident support from EasyJet worsened the ordeal.
The hotel accommodations provided in Bari were criticized for poor hygiene and insufficient heating, leaving passengers feeling abandoned.
Nadine’s daughter, traumatized by the experience, expressed hesitation about flying again soon.
In a statement, EasyJet acknowledged the disruption and apologized for the inconvenience caused.
The airline emphasized its zero-tolerance policy toward abusive behavior and highlighted the training of its crew to handle such incidents effectively.
However, passengers voiced dissatisfaction with the airline’s handling of the incident’s aftermath, citing delayed communication and inadequate compensation.
EasyJet assured travelers they would reimburse reasonable expenses incurred due to the diversion.
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