FlySafair fines and bans passenger after in-flight altercation forces emergency landing

A man has been banned from flying with FlySafair and will be liable for flight diversion costs after he became violent aboard a recent flight.

According to FlySafair's Kirby Gordon, the man was onboard Flight FA600 from Johannesburg to Cape Town.

"The flight was diverted to Bloemfontein due to the disruptive behaviour on board," Gordon, FlySafair's Chief Marketing Officer, explained.

In a video of the incident, the man can be seen standing in the aisle and another passenger subdues him.

After a few minutes, the passenger takes the man to his seat and a third person is seen putting cable ties on his hands.

When the aircraft lands, the man can be heard shouting "police, police".

He is then escorted off the flight.

A TikToker who recorded the incident claimed that the man threatened passengers.

WARNING: VIDEO CONTAINS SWEARING AT THE END

"Following aggressive actions from the individual, the Captain made the decision to divert the aircraft in the interest of the safety and comfort of all passengers and crew. The passenger was met by the South African Police Service upon landing in Bloemfontein," Gordon explained.

He said the man has been added to FlySafair's No-Fly list.

"In accordance with the airline’s Terms and Conditions, will be issued an invoice covering the full costs of the diversion — including fuel and landing fees — which could total up to R100,000," Gordon said.

He further thanked the passengers on board who assisted the crew in de-escalating the situation.

In a recent incident, a captain fell sick mid-air during a flight from George to Johannesburg.

Passengers said an announcement from the cockpit asked if there was a qualified pilot among them who could assist.

Previously, IOL reported extensively on Nobuntu Mkhize's heated outburst aboard a FlySafair flight. At the time, Gordon confirmed that Mkhize has been added to their No-Fly List. 

seanne.rall@iol.co.za

IOL