Jet2.com has banned an “extremely disruptive” passenger for life and billed her £85,000 after her alleged in-flight antics resulted in the aircraft being diverted under the escort of two RAF jets.
Chloe Haines, 25, is accused by Jet2 of a “catalogue of aggressive, abusive and dangerous behaviour” onboard the flight to Dalaman on 22 June, including trying to open the aircraft doors mid-flight.
The airline said crew were forced to restrain Haines with the help of her fellow passengers, but such was the severity of the situation, two RAF Typhoons were scrambled causing a sonic boom widely reported to have been heard across much of the surrounding area.
Haines, of Maidenhead in Berkshire, was subsequently arrested by Essex Police when the flight returned to Stansted airport on suspicion of assault, criminal damage and endangering an aircraft. The force initially said she was bailed until 30 July. However, the BBC reports she has since been bailed until 21 August.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday afternoon (17 July), Jet2 said it had issued Haines a lifetime ban and billed her more than £85,000 after her “extremely disruptive behaviour” led to the flight having to be diverted and the two jets scrambled. “We are supporting the authorities with their investigation,” said the airline.
Steve Heapy, Jet2.com and Jet2holidays chief executive, said: “Miss Haines’ behaviour was one of the most serious cases of disruptive passenger behaviour we have 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.
“As a family-friendly airline, we take an absolutely zero-tolerance approach to disruptive behaviour, and we hope that this sobering incident, with its very serious consequences, provides a stark warning to others who think that they can behave in this fashion.”