Posted inTransport

Drunk passenger slapped air stewardess on Dubai flight after row over duty free

Egyptian passenger became angry after he was not allowed to drink the alcohol he had bought before boarding the plane

An Egyptian passenger had to be restrained on a flydubai flights from Dubai to Alexandria after he slapped an air stewardess when she informed he was not allowed to drink the duty free alcohol he had bought before boarding the plane.

Staff on board the aircraft were forced to tie the 40-year-old male to his seat and the pilot diverted the plane to Saudi Arabia after the passenger became disruptive on the flight, 7DAYS newspaper reported.

The incident, which took place on November 26, 2014, began when the Egyptian man asked staff for a glass of ice so he could drink his duty free alcohol during the flight.

When a Moroccan air stewardess informed him this was not allowed he became agitated and began swearing at staff and other passengers, the report said.

“He started insulting our crew and even other passengers. He kicked other passengers’ seats and started causing chaos on plane. I asked him to calm down, but he was so angry and didn’t stop,” the air stewardess told a Dubai court.

“He wanted to go to the bathroom and the food trolley was blocking his way… I asked him to wait but he refused and pushed the trolley away to go through. He slapped me in the face and insulted me,” she added.

After the passenger was tied to his seat, the pilot then decided to divert the plane to Saudi Arabia. The passenger was handed over to Saudi authorities and was later transferred back to Dubai.

The passenger was released on bail but did not appear in court this week and his trial has been adjourned until later this month.

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