Drunken ‘mid-air fight’ forces Ryanair flight to return ‘back to Manchester’ – London Business News

A Ryanair flight was forced to return “back to Manchester” following a “mid-air fight” and a “drunk” man was removed from the plane by police on Monday.

The Ryanair flight departed from Manchester Airport on Monday heading for Faro, Portugal and was then forced to return back to the airport.

A witness told the Liverpool Echo, a passenger allegedly “got very violent and started a mid-air fight,” adding that a passenger was “slapped hard across the face” by a woman who was with him.

Cabin crew requested assistance as the Ryanair flight headed back to Manchester Airport on Monday morning.

A spokesperson for Ryanair told The Independent: “The crew of this flight from Manchester to Faro (18 September) requested police assistance after a passenger became disruptive on board. This flight turned back to Manchester and this passenger was removed from the aircraft by local police before the flight continued safely to Faro following a short delay.

“This is now a matter for local police. We sincerely apologise to affected passengers for any inconvenience caused as a result of this passenger’s disruptive behaviour.”

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said, “Upon the plane returning to Manchester Airport, a man in his thirties was arrested on suspicion of being drunk on an aircraft, two counts of common assault and a Section 4a public order and remains in police custody for questioning.”