EasyJet flight EZY2148 to Manchester Airport was diverted to Germany owing to passenger disruption, as per reports. The flight was diverted after a female passenger caused disruption, screaming, “bomb,” according to reports.
As per a report from the Manchester Evening News, the woman was ‘erratic’ and grabbed the emergency exit, causing the flight to land at Frankfurt Airport. The flight left from Turkey’s Dalaman Airport on May 24 and was bound to land in Manchester on May 25.
The passenger disruption on EasyJet flight
The report cited a witness who stated that the traveller caused chaos on board the flight, screaming about there being a “bomb” on the flight. The traveller then moved on to grab the emergency exit door and life jacket.
The report also stated that a passenger on the same flight had confirmed that the passenger had disrupted a couple, saying that the flight was “going down” before dashing for the exit on the Easyjet flight. Three men had wrestled her away from the exit as per passenger accounts cited in multiple media reports.
The flight, which had already departed late from Dalaman at midnight, an hour later than its scheduled time of 11 p.m., landed at around 2:30 a.m. at Frankfurt Airport due to the disruption. Emergency services came on board the EasyJet flight.
As per reports, German authorities have launched an investigation into the matter. Passengers were made to stay on the flight for hours and were then allowed to leave for the airport at around 5 a.m.
An ‘airport curfew’ meant the flight could not depart Frankfurt until later today, with the flight arriving in Manchester at 1.40 p.m., according to EasyJet’s website.
In a statement, EasyJet had said that the flight had to be delayed overnight and kept at Frankfurt airport for the day due to “airport curfew.”
EasyJet, in its statement, said:
“Due to limited airport ground handling availability overnight, we are aware that customers were required to remain on board for longer than usual before they could disembark, and we did everything we could to mitigate the impact of the delay.”
It further clarified that some customers had to stay in the terminal owing to the limited availability of hotels in the area and that refreshments were given. It also said that its cabin crew are trained for all situations to act accordingly and maintain the safety of flight and passengers.
What are EasyJet’s policies on flight delays and diversions?
On its website, the airline mentions that it will get the customers to their final destination in case of diversion. Its ground staff will update customers with alternate travel arrangements. It may ask customers to make travel arrangements in case it cannot arrange transfers. It will reimburse passengers for trains, buses or taxis in such cases, but cannot do so for expenses such as private limousines.
For flight delays, depending on the delay, it provides refreshment voucher to the value of £6 or €9.
The vouchers are provided for flight delays by up to two hours (flights up to 1500km, e.g. London to Zurich) and by three hours (flights over 1500km, e.g. London to Dubrovnik). It will reimburse customers for the voucher amount in case it cannot provide the vouchers. Customers can change their flight to a later date based on seat availability for flight delays longer than five hours, or can cancel the delayed flight for a full refund. It also provides overnight accommodation for overnight delays, as per its policy.
It will cover taxis, buses or local services from the airport if it cannot cover transport.
For overnight delays, the airline states that it will arrange a hotel for the customers where possible to provide them with an evening meal (excluding alcohol) and breakfast. It will reimburse customers up to £25 per person per day (EUR/ CHF equivalent) in case the hotel cannot provide them with food. Customers must keep all receipts to claim these expenses back.
Have you ever faced such diversion or disruption below? Let us know your experience in the comments!
