Four British passengers, three women and one man, were removed from a flight from Larnaca to Birmingham after allegedly repeatedly using e-cigarettes during the five-hour journey.
Police boarded the aircraft upon arrival and escorted the group off the plane, following repeated warnings from cabin crew to stop using the devices.
Video recorded by another passenger shows police officers approaching the four passengers and asking them to leave the aircraft while dozens of other passengers remained onboard.
Repeated warnings from cabin crew
According to passenger Annalise Galstaun, who recorded the incident, the group had repeatedly used e-cigarettes despite “many” warnings from cabin crew.
She said the passengers also ignored complaints from people seated nearby and attempted to conceal the devices between their legs.
At the beginning of the video, a member of the cabin crew can be heard telling the group that police were waiting for them outside the aircraft.
A police officer then asks them to leave and directs them towards the exit, telling them they would speak outside the plane.
After a brief delay, a grey-haired woman leaves the aircraft, followed by the other three passengers.
Departure delayed by more than 20 minutes
Galstaun, 31, said the incident delayed the flight by more than 20 minutes as staff dealt with the passengers.
She described the situation as frustrating, saying the group had continued using their e-cigarettes despite repeated warnings.
She also claimed that the behaviour had caused irritation among other passengers and that some children began crying.
“There were children inside who were crying. It is a long journey,” she said.
Airline confirms police intervention
The airline confirmed that its September 16 flight from Larnaca to Birmingham was met by police after landing because of a “group of passengers behaving in a disruptive manner” on board.
The airline said its cabin crew are trained to assess situations and act quickly and appropriately to ensure the safety of the flight and other passengers is not compromised.
It added that it takes such incidents seriously and “does not tolerate disruptive or inappropriate behaviour” on its aircraft.
The airline said the safety and wellbeing of passengers and crew remain its “highest priority”.
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