A disruptive passenger forced a Ryanair flight to Ibiza to return to the gate.

A Ryanair flight from Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) to Ibiza (IBZ) experienced a significant delay on Thursday evening after a passenger's disruptive behavior forced the aircraft to return to the gate before takeoff.

The incident, which reportedly delayed the 22:15 service by two hours, occurred when a male passenger refused to comply with cabin crew instructions to turn off his mobile phone. Eyewitnesses reported that the individual became increasingly agitated, shouting and striking parts of the cabin.

Captain's Decision and Police Intervention

After attempts by the crew and another passenger to de-escalate the situation failed, the captain made the decision to halt the departure. The aircraft taxied back to the stand, where officers from the Spanish Guardia Civil (Civil Guard) boarded the plane and escorted the man off.

In a statement, Ryanair confirmed the event, stating, "The crew of this flight from Madrid to Ibiza called for police assistance prior to departure after a passenger became disruptive on board." The airline emphasized its strict zero-tolerance policy towards passenger misconduct to ensure a safe and respectful environment for all travelers and crew.

A Growing Industry Challenge

This event highlights a concerning trend in the aviation industry. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the rate of unruly passenger incidents has been on the rise globally. Data shows an increase from one incident for every 835 flights in 2021 to one per 480 flights in 2023.

Regulatory bodies like the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) support a zero-tolerance approach. International aviation law grants the pilot-in-command final authority to ensure the safety of the flight, which includes the right to refuse transport to any individual deemed a risk. Failure to follow crew instructions is a primary cause of such disruptions and is considered a serious safety violation.

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