Ryanair Tenerife flight sees police step on board over ‘disruptive’ passengers

Ryanair has issued a statement following an incident that saw authorities alerted over ‘disruptive’ passengers – including one who allegedly urinated in the aisle. The flight, which departed from East Midlands Airport, was midway through its four-and-a-half-hour journey to the Canary Islands when a ‘small group’ of passengers began causing trouble.

The shocked crew reportedly decided to alert police on the ground in Tenerife so they could board the flight upon landing. The flight landed safely in Tenerife on Monday, November 4, before police stepped in to remove the disruptive passengers.

The budget airline told us: “The crew of this flight from East Midlands to Tenerife (4 Nov) called ahead for police assistance after a small number of passengers became disruptive onboard. The aircraft was met by local police upon arrival at Tenerife Airport and these passengers were removed.

“This is now a matter for local police.” The incident took place on flight FR3152 from East Midlands Airport on Monday at 6.29am as stunned holidaymakers looked on, according to Birmingham Live.

Passengers at Ryanair will be facing other headaches soon as fewer flights are expected next year.

Ryanair issued a warning after the Budget. The airline said it expects to reduce the number of flights to and from UK airports by 10% next year.

The move follows Labour’s decision to increase tax on airline tickets. Chief executive Michael O’Leary criticised the spending statement on Friday, saying it has “damaged” UK growth prospects and “made air travel much more expensive”.

Air passenger duty will rise from the 2026/27 financial year, adding up to £2 to the cost of an economy ticket for a short-haul flight.

The Ryanair boss is no stranger to being in the spotlight. He has even managed to get caught up in an election campaign – this time in his native Ireland. He slammed politicians who had been teachers in the past – and said they get nothing done.

Mr O’Leary told Newstalk Breakfast on Monday more business owners should go into politics.

The Ryanair chief also said that Media and Tourism Minister Catherine Martin was “far better off back in the classroom”.

“This country is facing enormous challenges over the next decade, where the population is going to rise from five to six million people,” Mr O’Leary said.

“Now we need lots of teachers delivering excellent education in the classroom, but a Dail where there is a striking surplus of teachers in the Dail is not necessarily one that’s going to get things done.

“I want to see more people enter the Dail from private enterprise, from the private sector, and that’s the energy we need if we’re going to fix the infrastructure challenges we face, and if we’re going to provide housing and infrastructure for a population of six million people.

“I think teachers do a great job in the classroom, but I’m not sure that teachers in the Dail are necessarily the best people to deliver the kind of change and enterprise we need.”

His comments have been criticised by teaching unions.