Drunk passenger dragged off plane in Manchester-to-Ibiza incident after refusing to wear seatbelt
Intoxicated traveler removed by police after a two-hour delay; incident follows a series of in-flight disruptions tied to alcohol this year.
An intoxicated passenger on a Manchester-to-Ibiza flight was removed by police after refusing to wear a seatbelt, delaying the departure on September 13, according to witnesses and footage circulated by Storyful. The disruption occurred after boarding and prompted crews to address safety concerns before authorities arrived to remove the traveler.
Flight-witness Carmela Colasurdo described the scene as tense, noting that the plane had boarded on time but the crew told passengers the trip would be delayed because the uncooperative traveler would not fasten his seat belt. She said authorities were called as the standoff continued, and the delay stretched to about two hours while police prepared to remove him.
Video of the incident shows authorities carrying the passenger by his arms and legs down the aisle, then down the aircraft steps and into the back of a police van, as other passengers watch. Colasurdo, who filmed the event, said the scene was not what travelers needed on a trip to Ibiza and noted the disruption had a lasting impact on the flight schedule.
This year has seen a string of alcohol-related disruptions aboard flights. Earlier in September, a woman was removed from an Australia-to-New Zealand flight after drunkenly dancing in the aisle while the aircraft taxiing. Last month, an intoxicated passenger had to be restrained on an Emirates flight from Newcastle in the United Kingdom to Dubai after becoming increasingly loud and disruptive when cabin crew refused to serve more alcohol, prompting confrontations with nearby passengers.
The incident on the Manchester-to-Ibiza flight comes amid ongoing concern about disruptive behavior linked to alcohol on international air travel. Authorities and airlines have reiterated safety rules, including seatbelt use, as flights resume and holiday travel climbs. No immediate comment was available from the airline or local authorities regarding this specific episode.
The package of events underscores the broader challenge of maintaining safety and decorum in crowded cabins, particularly during peak travel periods. Airlines have stressed the importance of compliance with crew instructions, and authorities have signaled that disruptive behavior can lead to law-enforcement involvement and potential charges or penalties. As travel continues to rebound, passengers are reminded that seatbelt use and cooperation with crew are fundamental to safe operation, even in the face of delays and tension on board.
