Passenger Fined $1,000 for Refusing to Leave Virgin Atlantic Flight in Barbados

Noah Joseph Bridgeman-Morgan, a 25-year-old British national, was fined $1,000 by the District "B" Magistrates' Court in Barbados after admitting to charges of remaining on a Virgin Atlantic flight and resisting arrest. The incident occurred on December 6 at Grantley Adams International Airport when Bridgeman-Morgan refused to disembark an aircraft arriving from Grenada, which was scheduled to continue to England. He faces an alternative of one month in Dodds Prison if the fine is not paid.

Virgin Atlantic personnel, including ground supervisor Kero Smith, repeatedly requested Bridgeman-Morgan to leave the aircraft, as he was not scheduled to travel on that specific flight to London but on one the following day. Despite these requests and the need to board other passengers, he remained onboard. Airport security officers and officers from the Barbados Police Service were eventually summoned. When police attempted to remove him, Bridgeman-Morgan struggled with officers and security personnel from inside the plane to the bottom of the steps before being arrested and taken to Oistins Police Station.

In court, Bridgeman-Morgan stated he believed his journey was a short stop-over in Barbados before continuing to England, not an overnight stay. He explained he had limited time off for a cousin's funeral and lacked funds or contacts for an unexpected overnight stay in Barbados. He apologized to the court and Sergeant Stephanie McCollin for his behavior, acknowledging he should have handled the situation differently. He was remanded overnight to Dodds Prison, with the expectation that the fine would be paid before his return to court.