Passenger Became Unruly Towards Cabin Crew And Other Passengers

An American passengers aboard a KLM Airbus A330 en route from Abu Dhabi to Amsterdam became "aggressive" towards cabin crew and other passengers Saturday, causing the Dutch air force to scramble two F-16 fighters to escort the airplane to Schiphol Airport.

Newsweek reports that the gendarmerie said through spokeswoman Joanna Helmonds that "A 29-year-old American man became aggressive after being asked by a purser to return to his seat. "A scuffle broke out and the cabin crew, together with other passengers, managed to restrain the man."

A flight attendant said that the passenger did not appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, but his behavior "was very threatening from one moment to the next.”

The aircraft was given special clearance to land immediately at Schiphol airport, which was its intended destination. He has not been identified. The passenger was arrested on landing and admitted to a psychiatric institution for observation.

KLM spokeswoman Heleen Makkinga said the airline "regretted the unpleasant incident,” adding the cabin crew followed the carrier's standard procedure for dealing with such a passenger.

"Passengers and crew have laid a complaint against the man,” she said.

(Image from file)

FMI: Source report