An “out of control” passenger forced a Virgin Atlantic flight bound for Heathrow to make a U-turn back to Hong Kong today.
Flight VS201 was forced to turn back after a 26-year-old passenger became disruptive, apparently forcing cabin crew to restrain him.
The man, identified only as “Robert”, was arrested when the plane landed at Hong Kong International Airport and sent to hospital, authorities said.
The flight had been in the air for just over an hour-and-a-half when the passenger “lost control and didn’t follow instructions from staff”.
Fellow passengers claimed he shouted and intimidated travellers before being restrained by belts.
Katie Wong, who claimed to be on board the disrupted flight, wrote on Facebook: “He just gone out of control (sic). Talk loud and walking ard. Actually he touched my shouter (sic) and go intimidated at the aisle when the captain announced we’re diverting the flight.
“The crew ended up put him down temporarily with an injection (we guess) and tied him up with belts.”
The plane, an Airbus A340, departed at midnight. Virgin Atlantic confirmed the flight had to turn back to Hong Kong after about 90 minutes, but was unable to confirm whether flight attendants had to restrain the man.
A spokeswoman said: “Virgin Atlantic can confirm that due to a disruptive passenger flight VS201 to London Heathrow returned to Hong Kong and was met by authorities on arrival.
Virgin Atlantic does not tolerate disruptive behaviour by passengers on-board and the safety and welfare of our passengers and crew is the airline’s top priority.”
A Hong Kong police spokesman said: “The foreign man called Robert, who is 26 years old, lost control on board and didn’t follow instructions from staff on the flight.
“He was shouting... When the flight returned to Hong Kong, the man was arrested for violating aviation security ordinance and was sent to Princess Margaret Hospital.”
It is understood he has not yet been charged.
Passengers left stranded by the incident were put up in hotels in Hong Kong and will fly out again late this evening.
They were told they would be reimbursed for expenses and could apply for refunds if they were unable to travel tonight.
