DUBAI- A Dubai-Moscow service operated by flydubai (FZ) at Dubai Airport (DXB) faced a two-hour delay after an intoxicated Russian passenger disrupted takeoff procedures for the flight bound for Moscow (VKO) this week.
The cabin was ready for departure when the passenger began shouting for more alcohol, disturbing those around her and preventing the crew from completing the final safety steps.
flydubai Drunk Passenger Delays Flight
The situation unfolded moments before takeoff. Passengers were seated, the overhead bins were secured, and the crew had completed their final checks.
The calm shifted when one woman began acting erratically and showed clear signs of intoxication. She yelled at crew members, pushed nearby passengers, and repeatedly demanded alcohol despite her condition.
Witnesses reported that her behavior escalated quickly. She confronted a passenger who asked her to calm down and then shifted to inappropriate flirtation with another traveler attempting to assist.
The crew attempted to intervene but could not stabilize the situation as she continued moving through the cabin and interrupting safety procedures, telegrafi reported.
Recognizing the growing risk, the captain halted the departure sequence and requested support from airport authorities. Local police boarded the aircraft within minutes.
Officers tried to speak with the passenger, but after she refused to cooperate, they escorted her off the aircraft. Once removed, the crew carried out mandatory cabin and safety rechecks before preparing the aircraft for departure.
Operational Impact on the Flight
The incident triggered a two-hour delay that affected all travelers on board. The airline later shared that passenger and crew safety guided the decision to stop the aircraft and involve authorities.
Avoiding escalation in the air was considered essential, and the delay was a direct result of the required procedures once a disruptive passenger is removed.
Flydubai reiterated its commitment to safety protocols that define how crews must respond when behavior threatens the security of the cabin environment. These measures include stopping the departure sequence, alerting authorities, and performing post-incident inspections to confirm the aircraft is fit to operate.
Similar Incident
A drunk passenger on a Jet2 (LS) flight from Manchester (MAN) to Ibiza (IBZ) was removed by police after refusing to fasten his seatbelt, delaying the departure on September 13, 2025.
The crew requested assistance when the intoxicated traveler ignored safety instructions, prompting officers to board the aircraft and carry him off the plane.
The confrontation began during boarding when the passenger refused to follow a standard safety command to secure his seatbelt.
Under the UK Air Navigation Order 2016, passengers must comply with lawful instructions from cabin crew, and failure to do so becomes an offense when paired with intoxication. Crew members halted preparations for departure and kept all travelers onboard while awaiting authorities.
Police boarded the aircraft, restrained the man using a four-limb hold, and removed him down the aisle and off the steps to a waiting vehicle. The incident caused a significant delay, with the aircraft departing around two hours later than scheduled.
Disruptive behavior on leisure routes to party destinations such as Ibiza is not uncommon, and similar issues are often reported on flights operated by Jet2 (LS), Ryanair (FR), and easyJet (U2) between Manchester and the Balearic Islands.
While no diversion occurred, the lengthy onboard intervention compromised the airline’s schedule and created a knock-on effect for crew duty times.
European carriers increasingly pursue cost recovery from unruly passengers when their actions cause delays or diversions, though authorities have not confirmed whether Jet2 will seek compensation in this case.
Regulatory Context And Liability Exemptions
EU261 compensation rules do not apply to delays caused by passenger misconduct because such events fall under extraordinary circumstances.
Airlines remain responsible for duty-of-care obligations if disruptions extend overnight, though this event did not reach that threshold.
Regulators and carriers continue to evaluate responses to alcohol-related incidents, including improved gate screening and tighter airport alcohol controls.
Industry Concerns Over Alcohol And Safety
Ryanair and other low-cost carriers have argued for restrictions on airport alcohol sales to reduce disruptive behavior before boarding.
Critics counter that airlines should refine preboarding assessments to identify intoxicated passengers earlier.
The Manchester incident illustrates the safety risks and operational strain caused by aggressive or noncompliant travelers, reinforcing the need for coordinated action between airlines, regulators, and airport authorities.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
