Brits on stag do escorted off easyJet plane by police for 'vaping and abusive behaviour'
Six Brits on a rowdy stag caused a plane to divert halfway to its intended destination before police escorted them off
The six-strong party was swiftly bundled off the plane after touching down in Faro airport, Portugal, well short of their Marrakesh destination.
Witness Arron Davies, flying out with his mates Mike and Scott from Newport, south Wales, said two of the members on the stag do were allegedly vaping in their seats whilst drinking heavily and being abusive towards the stewards.
During the easyJet flight from London Gatwick to Marrakesh, Morocco, the men were allegedly warned six times before the staff took action. Arron, Mike and Scott, of Newport, south Wales, watched as the pilot announced that the flight would land in Faro airport, Portugal.
Upon landing, the rabble was met by a contingent of eight Portuguese officers who promptly diffused the situation. Two men were escorted off first, followed reluctantly by the remaining four, leaving their holiday plans in tatters.
Arron said: "The four friends were annoyed that their two mates had ruined their trip," Arron said. "The men were vaping in their seats and toilet, drinking heavily and to my opinion already drunk or close to when boarding. They were being abusive towards staff on the flight."
He added: "They were being loud and using a lot of bad language despite children being on the flight." He alleged: "They were warned about six times, but every time the one man muttered when the staff walked away, making the problem worse.
"One of the men gave up and walked towards the exit when he realised how serious his actions were being taken. The other man stayed in his seat and was escorted out by up to eight police officers, four getting in the plane from either side.
"The flight steward was very good at his job dealing with this issue on the flight, he gave them many chances. I would call the guy a true asset to easyJet. His level of professionalism was on point even though a lot of abuse was aimed at him.
"He kept his composure and made me feel I was still safe even with the drama happening in front of me."
An easyJet spokesperson stated: "This flight from London Gatwick to Marrakech on 19 May diverted to Faro and was met by police upon arrival due to a group of passengers behaving disruptively onboard. Once the passengers had left the aircraft, the flight then continued to Marrakech.
"Our cabin crew are trained to assess and evaluate all situations and acted quickly and appropriately to ensure that the safety of the flight and other passengers was not compromised at any time. The safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crew is always easyJet's priority and we do not tolerate abusive or threatening behaviour onboard."
