Australia - Passengers' drunken fight forces Jetstar plane back to Darwin

[dirtydog]

Passengers' drunken fight forces Jetstar plane back to Darwin

AN international flight was forced to return to Darwin airport after a fight broke out between five drunken passengers.

Jetstar flight JQ61 carrying 172 passengers from Darwin to Singapore was forced to turn around about half an hour after it took off from Darwin airport on Thursday night, the Northern Territory News reported.

Jetstar spokesman Simon Westaway said it was believed the men had been drinking dutyfree alcohol before they boarded the plane.

Despite being intoxicated, they passed several security checkpoints and boarded the plane.

Mr Westaway said the men became "disruptive" about 30 minutes after take-off, leaving the captain no option but to turn the plane around.

"We originally contemplated having security meet them in Singapore but the captain made the decision to go back to Darwin," he said.

Australian Federal Police officers were waiting at Darwin airport and escorted the five Malaysian men off the plane.

Two men were taken into protective custody. The other three were allowed to leave on their own.

The two men in custody were later released after Jetstar informed the AFP it did not want to pursue charges.

The disruption delayed the flight by about three hours.

"We are doing our own investigation as to how these individuals got on to the plane while intoxicated," Mr Westaway said. But he said Jetstar management supported the captain's decision to turn the plane around.

"Our captain and crew have a duty of care to all passengers," he said.

Passengers' drunken fight forces Jetstar plane back to Darwin | News.com.au Top stories | News.com.au

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[MeMock]

I have seen some maggoted looking blokes at Darwin airport that still somehow manage to get on board the flight okay.

It doesn't help that 90% of Darwin flights leave between 11pm and 4am.

I would love to see the stats on disrupted flights due to passengers in Australia as I am sure that the Darwin leg oo any flights would come out higher then any other Australia city, not bad considering the population is only 100,000 people.

[jandajoy]

The two men in custody were later released after Jetstar informed the AFP it did not want to pursue charges.

I'm amazed they're not pressing charges. Is it cos they let them on in the first place?

It doesn't help that 90% of Darwin flights leave between 11pm and 4am.

Damn right.

[MeMock]

They joys of having a 24 hr airport, every airline schedules their flights when their planes aren't allowed to land or take off anywhere else.

[MeMock]

I was there a few months ago and this bloke in the Qantas lounge was smashed. Tried groping a passenger and then a waitress. The waitress went and complained (this is 20 minutes before we left) and he was asked to leave the lounge. Sure enough he was on the flight. He could hardly even stand.

[dirtydog]

I am sure that the Darwin leg oo any flights would come out higher then any other Australia city, not bad considering the population is only 100,000 people.

Something that you as a fellow Aussie can share pride in

[jandajoy]

Sure enough he was on the flight. He could hardly even stand.

Is that the airlines responsibility or the airports?

[MeMock]

Airlines I would have thought.

[jandajoy]

Got to be said that the staff at Darwin aren't exactly the most motivated people in the world.

[jandajoy]

Airlines I would have thought.

Me too. Surprised the flight crew let 'em on board. My bro says that airport staff will generally tell flight crew about a potential problem, that's Qantas proper though, not Jetstar.

[EmperorTud]

Malaysians can't handle their bevvy.

Softcocks.

[Rural Surin]

I was there a few months ago and this bloke in the Qantas lounge was smashed. Tried groping a passenger and then a waitress. The waitress went and complained (this is 20 minutes before we left) and he was asked to leave the lounge. Sure enough he was on the flight. He could hardly even stand.

Perhaps this is SOP for Darwin and other such places, but I believe there is a universal airport/airline policy towards allowing pissed passengers from boarding...yes? Some years back, there was an understanding with many carriers to pacify and calm passengers {layovers, cancellations, delays, etc} with "free" booze and what not - naturally causing foking drunks to board. But then, throwing passengers off for being intoxicated. This doesn't happened much anywhere anymore.

[Rural Surin]

Malays? Pissed.....??

[panama hat]

Malays? Pissed.....??

No:

the five Malaysian men

"We originally contemplated having security meet them in Singapore but the captain made the decision to go back to Darwin," he said.

Damn lucky for the five . . .