We may only be a few days into 2023 but we have already seen the first outburst of drunken idiocy while flying.
Two unruly passengers from the UK - a not unusual base for purveyors of drunken aggression - face serious charges after their alleged "alcohol-fuelled disruptive behaviour" on a transatlantic flight.
Anthony Joseph James Kirby and Damien Jake Murphy, both 36, face US federal charges of assault and interfering with a flight crew, Travel Mole reported.
The pair allegedly disrupted a TUI Airways flight from Cancun, Mexico, to England, and have been charged with assault and interfering with the flight crew after the plane was diverted to Bangor, Maine.
An FBI affidavit says the men were among a group of three disruptive passengers who retrieved alcohol from a carry-on bag after being denied service on the flight to Manchester.
The affidavit also says the two made racist remarks about passengers and crew on a flight with 328 people on board. It is also alleged they slapped and shoved air crew.
Both passengers were held without bail after initial court appearances Tuesday.
They both face long prison sentences if convicted, as the US does not look kindly on idiocy in the air - and the incidents occurred in US airspace.
“During the flight, the men became loud and disruptive,” the affidavit said.
They were removed from the plane by police along with a third person who was not charged.
“The safety and security of our customers and crew is always our highest priority, and we have a zero tolerance policy to disruptive behaviour on our flights,” TUI Airways said in a statement. The airline says it is continuing to assist the FBI with their investigation.
TUI Airways is a British charter airline, offering scheduled and charter flights from the United Kingdom and Ireland to destinations in Europe, Africa, Asia and North America.
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