EasyJet Naples-Edinburgh Passenger Jailed After In-Flight Sexual Assault Conviction

A man was found guilty of sexual assault and attempted rape. Nicola Cristiano, 45, was convicted following a three-day trial. The incident occurred on an EasyJet flight in May 2025. The route was traveling from Naples, Italy, to Edinburgh, Scotland.

Case and Court Details

Cristiano moved seats to sit next to the victim. He offered her wine, then exposed himself to her. He then attempted to make her perform a sex act on him. The woman repeatedly told him no and tried to move away. She was able to alert cabin crew when Cristiano went to the lavatory. Staff immediately prevented the accused from leaving the bathroom. The victim was moved to the front of the aircraft for safety. Police Scotland arrested Cristiano upon landing at Edinburgh Airport.

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Cristiano claimed the sexual encounter was consensual. He denied the charge of attempted rape. However, the jury returned a non-unanimous guilty verdict. This verdict included the charge of sexually assaulting the victim. Judge Alison Stirling remanded Cristiano in custody. He was also placed on the sex offenders’ register. Sentencing is adjourned until February 6 at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Detective Chief Inspector Steph Garnett praised the victim's actions. She also noted the quick intervention by the airline crew. "Fortunately, she had an opportunity to alert a member of the cabin crew," Garnett stated. "She was taken to another part of the plane where she was safe".

Industry Context and Safety

This case highlights the serious issue of unruly passenger behavior in the air. In-flight sexual assault remains a significant concern for airlines. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FAA) opened 96 cases in 2023 alone. FBI data also showed a 65% increase in sexual violence cases on aircraft from 2014 to 2017.

• The International Air Transport Association (IATA) recognizes this issue. Their data shows that inappropriate sexual behavior is often under-reported.
• One out of five flight attendants has received a report of passenger-on-passenger sexual assault.
• Aviation stakeholders stress the need for clear reporting procedures. They also emphasize robust training for flight crews.

This conviction reinforces that crimes committed on international flights are prosecuted. It provides confidence to victims to come forward. Aviation industry groups continue to work on improving passenger safety. They aim to prevent such incidents in the confined aircraft environment. The prompt action by the EasyJet crew was crucial to the outcome.