Passenger cops $150,000 fine for “one of the most serious cases” of flight disruption

Jet2 Airlines Boeing 737-300 taking off from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol from the Polderbaan during a day with clear weather.

A woman has been fined £85,000 (AU$150,939) for allegedly causing a flight to divert because of “extremely disruptive behaviour”.

The 25-year-old woman was on board a Jet2 flight from London Stansted Airport to Dalaman in Turkey on 22 June when she allegedly attacked cabin crew and tried to open the aeroplane door, prompting air traffic controllers to alert the military.

The flight received an escort back to Stanstead by two typhoon fighters due to a miscommunication between the pilots and air traffic control that lead air traffic controllers to believe the cockpit door had been compromised.

“The aircraft has returned safely and we are liaising with the relevant authorities to support their investigation,” a spokesperson for the airline said at the time.

The woman was arrested on suspicion of common assault, criminal damage and endangering an aircraft.

According to the BBC, Jet2 has billed her for £85,000 and given a lifetime ban.

Jet2’s chief executive, Steve Heapy commented that her behaviour had been “one of the most serious cases” the airline had experienced.

“She must now face up to the consequences of her actions, and we will vigorously pursue to recover the costs that we incurred as a result of this divert, as we do with all disruptive passengers,” he said.

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