An airline passenger whose “extremely disruptive behaviour” allegedly caused two RAF jets to be scrambled has been slapped with an £85,000 (€94,000) fine.
Jet2 Airways said Chloe Haines, 25, had to be restrained by staff and fellow passengers on the Turkey-bound flight.
Her “catalogue of aggressive, abusive and dangerous behaviour” included trying to open the aircraft’s doors during the flight, the airline claimed.
The RAF scrambled to deploy two Typhoon fighter jets to escort the flight back to Stansted, creating a sonic boom. Local police reported at the time that it had received a “large number of 999 calls” because of the explosion-like sound.
Large number of 999 calls coming in about a loud explosion. We have liaised with @EssexPoliceUK who are confirming that this is a sonic boom from a passing aircraft.
— B Stortford Police (@BStortPolice) June 22, 2019
Haines was arrested upon arrival at Stansted “on suspicion of common assault, criminal damage and endangering an aircraft,” Essex Police confirmed a few days after the incident on June 22. They also announced that she had been released on bail until July 30.
A woman arrested at Stansted Airport over the weekend has since been released on bail.
The 25-year-old, from Maidenhead in Berkshire, was arrested on suspicion of common assault, criminal damage and endangering an aircraft.
She has been released on bail until Tuesday 30 July. pic.twitter.com/dhM2lXf4bp
— Essex Police (@EssexPoliceUK) June 24, 2019
On top of the hefty fine, the airline has also slapped Haines with a lifetime ban.
Jet 2 CEO, Steve Heapy said that “she must now face up to the consequences of her actions, and we will vigorously pursue to recover the costs that we incurred as a result of this divert, as we do with all disruptive passengers.”
“We hope that this sobering incident, with its serious consequences, provides a stark warning to others who think that they can behave in this fashion,” he added.