**easyJet Flight Forced to Divert as Stag Party Ejected by Police in Portugal**
An easyJet flight bound for Morocco was unexpectedly redirected to Portugal after an unruly stag party’s behaviour forced police intervention mid-journey. The incident saw six men, reportedly on a stag do, prompted the unscheduled stop when their disruptive actions left staff with no option but to seek assistance from law enforcement authorities.
The flight, which departed from London Gatwick heading to Marrakech, descended into chaos after two members of the group allegedly began vaping in their seats and consuming large amounts of alcohol. Witnesses described a scene of persistent rule-breaking and verbal abuse directed at the cabin crew. Reports indicate the group were warned multiple times—at least six according to onlookers—before the situation escalated to a level requiring intervention from the pilot and cabin staff.
Arron Davies, a fellow passenger travelling with friends, recounted the ordeal, stating that the disruptive men paid little heed to repeated staff warnings. “They started drinking heavily even before the flight, and it was obvious to many that they were already intoxicated upon boarding,” Davies said. “They showed little regard for others, vaping openly and using foul language, even though there were children present on the flight.” This behaviour, he said, deteriorated as the flight progressed, with the group growing increasingly loud and belligerent.
According to Davies, the group’s lack of cooperation ultimately left crew with no alternative but to involve police. The pilot informed passengers that the flight would be landing at Faro Airport in southern Portugal, rather than completing its planned route to Marrakech. Upon landing, the aircraft was met by eight Portuguese police officers, who boarded the plane to deal with the situation. Two of the men were led off by police, whilst the remaining four exited the flight under staff supervision.
Tensions reportedly ran high amongst the stag party itself, with the four men expressing frustration towards their friends’ behaviour, lamenting the fact that their holiday plans had been spoiled. Witnesses said that one of those involved seemed to recognise the gravity of the situation as police arrived, voluntarily making his way towards the exit. The other individual allegedly remained defiant, necessitating a more forceful police response.
In commentary provided after the incident, Davies praised the conduct of the easyJet crew throughout what could have been a frightening episode. “The flight attendant in charge of the situation stayed totally professional despite facing constant abuse,” he observed. “He kept the atmosphere as calm as possible, which made a big difference for passengers like myself who felt uneasy during the upheaval.”
easyJet acknowledged the incident in an official statement, confirming that flight staff took decisive action to safeguard all on board. “This flight from London Gatwick to Marrakech on 19 May diverted to Faro and was met by police upon arrival due to a group of passengers behaving disruptively onboard,” an airline spokesperson said. “Once the passengers had left the aircraft, the flight then continued on to Marrakech.”
The airline reiterated its commitment to the safety and wellbeing of both passengers and crew, stressing that abusive or threatening behaviour would not be tolerated under any circumstances. “Our cabin crew are trained to assess and evaluate all situations and acted quickly and appropriately to ensure that the safety of the flight and other passengers was not compromised at any time,” the statement continued.
The unscheduled stop resulted in a delay for those travelling to Marrakesh but ultimately, thanks to the swift and measured actions of the crew, the remaining passengers reached their destination safely. Incidents of disruptive passenger behaviour have become a growing concern for airlines, who continue to remind travellers that failure to adhere to rules can result in removal from flights, police involvement, and potential legal repercussions.
For passengers like Arron Davies, the experience served as a stark reminder of the importance of mutual respect and compliance with airline regulations for the safety and comfort of all. The episode closed without further incident, but it has certainly reinvigorated ongoing discussions about alcohol and conduct on commercial flights.