Jet2 Flight Forced To Turn Back After Passenger 'Kicks Off' During Flight as Police Arrest Man

A Jet2 flight from Edinburgh to Cyprus was forced to turn back after a passenger was reported to have become disruptive, with police later arresting and charging a 32-year-old man.

Flight LS721, which was travelling from Edinburgh Airport to Larnaca, returned to Edinburgh on Wednesday, 23 September, after the incident on board. Police Scotland said officers received a report of a disruptive passenger at around 4:30pm, with the aircraft returning to the airport.

The 32-year-old man was arrested and charged with various offences, including assault and endangering an aircraft, according to Police Scotland. He was due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday, 24 September. The force also appealed for anyone with footage that could assist its investigation to contact police.

Passenger Incident Forces Flight Back to Edinburgh

The flight had been in the air for around 30 minutes when the incident began, according to an account from a fellow passenger. The passenger claimed the man was behaving aggressively and became involved in a physical confrontation.

The witness told The Edinburgh Reporter that the aircraft eventually made what they described as a 'very bumpy landing' after turning around and heading back to Edinburgh. The publication identified the flight as LS721 and reported that the passenger was subsequently arrested.

Those claims are based on a passenger account and have not been independently established. Police Scotland's statement confirms that a disruptive-passenger report was made, but does not publicly detail what allegedly happened inside the cabin.

The aircraft returned safely to Edinburgh Airport, where emergency services and police attended.

Police Confirm Arrest and Charges

Police Scotland said the man was arrested and charged in connection with 'various offences including assault and endangering an aircraft.'

The force said he was due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on 24 September. Police also asked members of the public who may have recorded footage of the incident to contact officers via 101, quoting incident number 2320 from 23 September.

The charges are allegations and have not been proven in court. No further details about the man's identity or the specific circumstances behind the alleged offences were included in Police Scotland's statement.

Jet2's Policy on Disruptive Passengers

Jet2 has a stated zero-tolerance policy towards disruptive behaviour on its flights. The airline's terms and conditions say passengers must not behave in a way that endangers the aircraft, people or property on board. Jet2 also says customers have the right to enjoy their travel experience in comfort under its 'On Board Together' campaign.

Jet2's terms and conditions state that passengers who behave inappropriately may be removed from an aircraft, have future flights cancelled or be prosecuted. The airline also says it may recover costs and expenses arising from improper conduct, including those resulting from a diversion.

Not the First Time

A similar incident occurred at Glasgow Airport on 19 September, when easyJet flight EZY888, bound for London Gatwick, returned to the stand shortly before departure after a passenger behaved disruptively onboard. The aircraft had been taxiing towards the runway when the pilot turned it back to the gate, where Police Scotland officers escorted the passenger from the aircraft.

Police said they received a report of a disruptive passenger at around 2:50pm, but no complaints were made and no arrests followed. easyJet said its cabin crew were trained to assess such situations and act quickly and appropriately to protect the safety of passengers and crew. The flight eventually continued to Gatwick after a delay of around 49 minutes.