A aeroplane was forced to make an impromptu landing due to three unruly passengers who were vaping and drinking booze.
According to The New Zealand Herald, the three Australians from Queensland were travelling from Brisbane to Bali when the event happened.
The captain of the Virgin Australia flight decided to make a diversion to Darwin in Australia’s Northern Territory due to safety concerns. The staff aboard the ship made a request for the Australian Federal Police to be ready to meet the problematic passengers.
The passengers, two of whom were 20 years old and one of whom was 42, were noted as potentially problematic flyers from the outset of the trip, according to the police report. The crew concluded they wouldn’t be able to help in an emergency, so they requested them to leave the emergency exit row. The males apparently initially resisted relocating to their designated locations, instead choosing to remain in the extra-legroom chairs.
According to the complaint, they grew more disruptive after takeoff and started bringing their own alcohol after the staff refused to offer it to them.
Australian civil aviation laws prohibit the use of e-cigarettes and the consumption of alcohol other than that which is provided by the cabin staff.
Around 4 o’clock in the afternoon, officers met the plane on the runway and calmly helped the three rowdy passengers exit. The males were warned and freed while charges were pending.
After more than four hours, the service resumed its journey to Bali’s Denpasar airport.
According to the AFP, fines for unruly conduct and violations of the smoking and alcohol restrictions aboard passenger aircraft are expected to be issued.
The commander of Darwin Airport told The New Zealand Herald that the police have “zero tolerance” for rudeness in airports and on aeroplanes.
We are aware that the vast majority of travellers act honourably, so they shouldn’t have their trip plans hampered or feel uneasy as a result of a few bad apples.
If the issues outlined in this article are affecting you, please do not hesitate to contact us, and we will do what we can to help you with your situation.