The passenger disrupted a flight from Edinburgh to Lanzarote on 5 July last year shortly after take-off by smoking, consuming his own alcohol and verbally abusing other passengers onboard.

They were one of three disruptive passengers whose "inexcusable" behaviour forced the flight to turn back to Edinburgh, causing six crew and 178 passengers to "suffer unnecessary disruption", the airline said. 

Edinburgh Sheriff Court handed down to the passenger a community payback order and sentenced them to 225 hours of unpaid work. 

A Ryanair spokesperson said: "We welcome the community payback order of 225 hours community service issued to this passenger by the Edinburgh Sheriff Court, which demonstrates just one of the many consequences that passengers who disrupt flights will face as part of Ryanair’s zero tolerance policy.

"We hope this action will further deter disruptive behaviour on flights so that passengers and crew can travel in a comfortable and respectful environment.”