A chaotic scene unfolded aboard an easyJet flight from London Gatwick to Antalya, Turkey, on Wednesday when a drunken brawl broke out, forcing the aircraft to make an emergency diversion to Pristina, Kosovo. Video footage captured by a fellow passenger shows a woman, believed to be British, lunging across the aisle in an attempt to strike another holidaymaker.
Incident Details
According to reports, the woman had been consuming vodka directly from the bottle before the altercation. Witnesses claim she spat in another passenger's face during the confrontation. A flight attendant attempted to de-escalate the situation, but two male passengers also became involved in the fray.
Police Intervention
Upon landing at Pristina International Airport, police boarded the plane and escorted two individuals off the flight: a man in green and a woman in pink. The diverted flight eventually reached Turkey three hours behind schedule.
Passenger Accounts
A witness described the scene as "a bit mental," stating that passengers felt scared and helpless. They began filming for evidence and personal protection. The witness noted that the pair were shouting and swearing at each other, causing distress among other travelers.
Industry Context
This incident occurs amid growing concerns over disruptive behavior on budget airlines. Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary has called for airport bars to limit alcohol sales to two drinks per passenger. In February, Ryanair also banned passengers from bringing their own hot or alcoholic beverages onboard.
An easyJet spokesperson reiterated the airline's zero-tolerance policy toward disruptive conduct, emphasizing that customer and crew safety remains the highest priority.
