Dramatic footage has emerged showing a man climbing onto the roof of a passenger aircraft at a Spanish airport, leading to significant delays and a major security alert. The incident, which unfolded at Manises Airport in Valencia, saw the individual taunt ground staff and disrupt operations for over two hours.
Chaos on the Tarmac
The disruptive episode occurred shortly before 6pm on Saturday, when the 24-year-old Moroccan national reportedly scaled a Vueling Airbus A320. Video captured by a fellow passenger shows the man shouting at staff while running across the aircraft's fuselage, tapping his chest aggressively as he positioned himself on the plane's roof.
Extended Disruption and Bizarre Behaviour
His outburst lasted for at least ten minutes, during which he mocked pleading ground crew members, stuck his fingers in his ears pretending not to hear them, and even danced around on the aircraft surface. At one point, he retrieved a can of drink from his bag, cracked it open, and consumed it while perched on the plane roof as helpless staff watched below.
The incident caused a substantial two-hour delay to a scheduled flight bound for Amsterdam, affecting numerous passengers and requiring extensive operational adjustments. Civil Guard officers were promptly called to the scene following reports of air safety regulation violations.
Resolution and Safety Assessment
Authorities eventually persuaded the man to descend from the aircraft and confirmed he was not carrying any weapons in his backpack. Medical assistance was also summoned to evaluate his condition. According to Spanish Airports and Air Navigation officials, the individual did not pose a direct risk to passenger safety despite the alarming nature of his actions.
Following the incident, the aircraft underwent a thorough inspection by Vueling maintenance crews, who examined the upper fuselage and ruled out any structural damage. The airline, along with police and airport authorities, have been contacted for further comment regarding the security breach.
Recent Pattern of In-Flight Disturbances
This incident follows another serious aviation disruption just days earlier, involving a Russian-speaking passenger who caused severe delays on an Air Asia international flight from Nha Trang, Vietnam to Bangkok, Thailand. Reports indicate the unidentified bearded man began behaving strangely after takeoff, challenging flight attendants to physical confrontations and demanding crew members unlock aircraft doors.
Emergency Landing and Arrest
According to Russian media outlet Readovka, the agitated passenger announced to the entire cabin that he intended to jump from the plane. Telegram reports from passengers described the man as constantly visiting the toilet and appearing increasingly agitated before arguing with cabin crew about needing to disembark immediately.
The situation escalated when he stripped down to his underwear, ran around the cabin, and eventually jumped through an open door before the stairway was properly positioned. The emergency forced the aircraft into an unscheduled landing, after which Thai police arrested the tourist who had injured his leg during the escape attempt.
These consecutive incidents highlight growing concerns about passenger behaviour and aviation security protocols, with both cases involving dramatic confrontations that required emergency responses and resulted in substantial travel disruptions for multiple passengers.
