A passenger allegedly tried to open the emergency exit on a Ryanair flight from Manchester to Agadir, Morocco, before being restrained by other people on the plane
Images from a passenger show the moment police can be seen on board a Ryanair plane to remove a woman who is claimed to have attempted to ‘open an emergency exit’ mid-flight.
The Ryanair flight to Agadir, in Morocco, had to be diverted back to Manchester Airport this morning after taking off at 9am. Greater Manchester Police boarded the plane when it returned an hour later and they were seen removing belongings from the overhead lockers.
Officers then walked down the aisle towards the front exit of the plane. A woman was arrested when the flight safely returned to the airport, a Greater Manchester Police spokesperson has confirmed.
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And a Ryanair spokesperson said: “This flight from Manchester to Agadir (25 Aug) diverted to back to Manchester shortly after take-off after a passenger became disruptive onboard. Crew called ahead for police assistance, who met the aircraft upon landing at Manchester Airport and offloaded this passenger before this flight continued to Agadir.
“Ryanair has a strict zero tolerance policy towards passenger misconduct and will continue to take decisive action to combat unruly passenger behaviour, ensuring that all passengers and crew travel in a safe and respectful environment, without unnecessary disruption.”
Fellow passengers attempted to stop the woman trying to open the exit and alerted cabin crew, who spoke to the plane’s captain, an eyewitness told the Manchester Evening News. The passenger was removed from the emergency exit seat and the captain had to remain by the exit.
The plane was landed and the woman involved was ‘escorted off the plane by Greater Manchester Police’, said the fellow passenger. Engineers were then brought on to inspect the damage and replace parts, according to the witness.
“The Ryanair flight RK1266 [from Manchester] for Agadir in Morocco [was] diverted back to Manchester Airport due to a passenger attempting to open emergency exit,” said the witness to what happened.
“However she was only able to get the plastic covering off and as a result was unsuccessful, as other passengers stopped her and made cabin crew aware of the situation at 9.30am, who then made the captain aware.
“The passenger was moved from the emergency exit seat and the captain remained at the emergency exit until we landed back at Manchester Airport.
“The plane landed safely and the passenger involved was escorted off the plane by Greater Manchester Police. Engineers came to check the door and replaced the plastic covers.” The flight, RUK1266, then restarted its journey at 11.22am, as per Flight Aware data.