Pilot dumps passenger on desert island

30 December 2005 07:20:16 GMT
Pilot dumps passenger on desert island

A British man was dumped on a desert island in the Atlantic after an air rage incident on board a plane.

The unnamed man, 53, was on a flight from Manchester to Tenerife, when he was refused drinks and swore at staff and fellow passengers.

The pilot eventually diverted the plane and left the man 300 miles from his destination on Porto Santo, a tiny Portuguese-run island off the west coast of Africa.

The man was questioned by local police over accusations of "disruptive behaviour on an aeroplane".

A Monarch Airlines spokeswoman confirmed the man thrown off the flight for "abusive and disruptive" behaviour.

"He was verbally abusive to our cabin crew. They asked him repeatedly to tone down his language but he continued to be verbally aggressive towards the crew and passengers."

She said the airline was considering legal action against him for causing a costly unplanned stop.

A spokesman said: "Despite repeated attempts by Monarch scheduled staff to calm the individual, the passenger's behaviour did not improve and the decision was taken to divert to Porto Santo.

"The action was taken in the interests of all the passengers. That sort of behaviour is not acceptable.

"He was given the chance to calm down and he declined it. He was given a form, a caution for his behaviour, and he refused to sign it."

The man, who was travelling alone, had bought a one-way ticket to Tenerife. It is understood he is now free to go.

The plane later landed almost four hours late in Tenerife.
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