A suspended sentence of 3 months with a three-year probation period was handed down by the Thessaloniki Summary Single-Member Misdemeanor Court to a 42-year-old British passenger, who on Sunday night (30/8) caused serious disruption aboard a flight from Newcastle to Heraklion, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing at Thessaloniki’s “Macedonia” Airport.
Read also: Spetses: Helicopter passenger arrested after landing on beach — a bag of drugs found in his possession
Thessaloniki: Emergency landing at “Macedonia” Airport due to drunk passenger — what he said in his defense
The defendant was found guilty of failing to comply with the pilot’s orders and of causing disturbance during the flight. During the hearing, the 42-year-old admitted he had been heavily intoxicated and apologized for his behavior.
The incident occurred during the overnight flight when the visibly drunk man attacked crew members and fellow passengers while repeatedly ignoring instructions from the cabin crew.
The situation inside the aircraft prompted the pilot to change course and divert the plane to Thessaloniki’s “Macedonia” Airport, landing at approximately 1:30 a.m.
Following the landing, airport police arrested the 42-year-old, who was subsequently brought before the court. The aircraft then continued its journey to its original destination without further incident.
