Article
Court Flightmare for Disruptive Pair
Published: Fri 02 Jun 2017 at 13:37
Updated: Fri 02 Jun 2017 at 13:37
Two more disruptive passengers fell foul of the Courts yesterday, and were ordered to pay Jet2.com more than £2,000, after their aggressive and abusive behaviour onboard our Leeds Bradford to Ibiza flight in May 2016.
In the latest in a string of court judgments against disruptive behaviour, James Briston and Michael Wilson, both of Redcar, were fined a total of more than £2,000 between them and have been ordered to pay the sum within 14 days.
On May 26th 2016, Mr Briston and Wilson were asked numerous times by our crew to stop drinking their own illicit alcohol onboard our Leeds Bradford to Ibiza flight. They repeatedly ignored these warnings as well as a formal warning letter, becoming increasingly abusive and aggressive towards our cabin crew.
When the crew warned that their behaviour may lead to a diversion of the aircraft, Mr Wilson responded by challenging them to do so, using particularly strong and abusive language. Mr Briston also aggressively pushed one of our cabin crew members in the chest.
This behaviour resulted in Spanish Police having to meet the aircraft, and even then the two lit cigarettes on the tarmac as they were escorted away.
Only Mr Briston attended the hearing at Middlesbrough County Court, and fining both of them District Judge Shaw said the sum was “entirely appropriate in the circumstances” and that “Jet2.com is absolutely entitled to adopt a zero tolerance policy towards disruptive passengers.”
Speaking after the decision, Phil Ward, MD of Jet2.com said: “The behaviour of Mr Wilson and Mr Briston was deplorable, and we welcome this decision by Middlesbrough County Court, which is the latest in a number of judgments handed down against disruptive passengers. As we enter the busiest time of the year, we are seeing an increase in disruptive behaviour, usually fuelled by alcohol, so this decision should act as a stark warning. That warning is clear; if you act in a disruptive, abusive or aggressive manner on our flights, there can be very serious consequences including banning orders, financial penalties and court action.”
Mr Briston has been banned from flying with Jet2.com for life, and Mr Wilson was banned for six months.
As a family friendly airline carrying millions of holidaymakers, many of whom are families, Jet2.com’s Onboard Together initiative commits the airline to a zero tolerance stance against disruptive passenger behaviour. This includes banning the sale of alcohol onboard all flights before 08:00BST.
As we continue to lead the way against disruptive passenger behaviour through our Onboard Together campaign, we will keep you updated on these judgments.
