LUTON- An EasyJet (U2) flight from Antalya (AYT) to London Gatwick (LGW) had to make an emergency landing in Bari, Italy due to a teenage passenger causing significant onboard disruption. The incident began when a passenger assaulted the cabin crew and attempted to open the airplane door mid-flight, causing commotion and terror among the passengers.
This unanticipated redirection left people stuck overnight, raising questions about safety standards and customer service during such circumstances.
EasyJet Flight Emergency Landing
The incident began when a 16-year-old passenger, sat next to a 10-year-old girl, became angry, apparently owing to the child coughing.
According to witnesses, the teenager confronted the youngster and her mother, making verbal and physical threats.
The cabin crew tried to ease the issue by transferring the child and her mother, but the teen’s violent conduct continued.
The situation became urgent when she attempted to open the airplane door in mid-flight, causing damage to the handle. The crew took quick action to prevent further escalation, physically holding the passenger to guarantee everyone’s safety onboard.
For safety considerations, the pilot chose to divert the flight to Bari Airport. After arriving, Italian authorities detained the disruptive traveler.
Passengers disembarked to discover police, fire crews, and maintenance workers waiting for them, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
While EasyJet’s prompt response protected the safety of everyone on board, passengers expressed dissatisfaction with the aftermath of the incident. Many people were relocated to inadequate housing, which exacerbated their suffering.
EasyJet Response
Passengers called the flight a “nightmare,” with several claiming long-term mental and physical effects.
Nadine, a 39-year-old passenger, described her terrifying experience, claiming that EasyJet’s lack of prompt contact and inadequate post-incident care exacerbated the situation.
The hotel accommodations in Bari were condemned for inadequate hygiene and insufficient heating, making passengers feel abandoned.
Nadine’s daughter, frightened by the encounter, showed reluctance to fly again soon.
EasyJet recognized the disruption and apologized for any difficulty it caused.
The airline stressed its zero-tolerance stance regarding abusive behavior, as well as its crew’s training to appropriately manage such incidents.
However, customers expressed unhappiness with the airline’s handling of the incident’s aftermath, alleging delays in communication and insufficient compensation.
EasyJet promised travelers that they will reimburse reasonable expenses incurred as a result of the diversion.
