‘Disgusting’ rugby player ‘sexually harasses’ easyJet stewardess delaying 55-minute flight for more than 90 minutes
A “DISGUSTING” rugby yob delayed a 55-minute flight for over 90 minutes before being hauled off the plane for allegedly sexually harassing an air stewardess.
The Belfast-bound easyJet flight was due to take off from Bristol Airport at 12.55pm on Friday but was forced to stay grounded by a “raucous” group of rugby players.
Passengers said they were “sickened” and “intimidated” by the lads – one of whom was escorted off by police for allegedly sexually harassing a female member of the cabin crew.
The drama unfolded as the plane was taxiing to take off after staff had given the safety demo.
Boarding started at 1.10pm but the flight did not depart from Bristol until 3.15pm because pilots were forced to go back to the airport so police could board.
EasyJet customer Rachel Davies said the “horrible” group of 20-30 men, aged in their 40s and 50s, had all been drinking before getting on the flight.
She said: “One of the men got out of his seat, when we were all supposed to have our seatbelts on, and walked down the aisle towards two female members of staff.
As police escorted him off, the lady in the cabin crew was in floods of tears, and was saying that she didn’t feel safe on that flight.
Passenger Rachel Davies
“I couldn’t hear what he said to them, but one of the women said ‘I am treating this as sexual harassment’.
“Then an announcement came over saying that something had happened on board, and the plane would have to return to its parking bay and wait for police.”
Rachel added: “It was horrible, it was really dreadful.
“Even at the gate they were making a real show of themselves.
“Some of them had definitely had a few drinks. They were being so loud you couldn’t hear yourself speak.
“I just had a feeling that something was going to happen on the flight so, as I had priority boarding, I alerted the cabin crew when I got on the flight.”
Rachel, 40, from Wales, went on: “They were so loud as they were coming across the tarmac to board the plane, that the pilot even came out of the cockpit to see what the noise was.
“As police escorted him off, the lady in the cabin crew was in floods of tears, and was saying that she didn’t feel safe on that flight.
We would like to apologise to passengers for the delay and thank them for their understanding.
easyJet Statement
“What sickened me most was that, after we got off the flight, as we were waiting for the carousel to get our bags, all the other men in the group burst into laughter.
“They were saying things like she was only looking for a bit of compensation, and that they’d said worse things to their mothers. One of them said, ‘Let’s get the d**do out’.
Rachel praised easyJet’s “zero tolerance” approach towards the man’s behaviour but believes Bristol Airport should have done more to stop the men boarding the flight.
She said: “One man was slurring his words as he spoke. They should have been curbed at the gate, before they were allowed to board the flight.”
ABUSIVE ONBOARD BEHAVIOUR
A spokesperson for Bristol Airport said: “We want all passengers flying from Bristol Airport to have an enjoyable start to their journey, but anti-social behaviour by a minority can spoil the experience for everyone.
“Any anti-social behaviour by a passenger is not accepted by the Airport or airlines, and could result in passengers being refused travel. We will assist the police with their investigations.
“Disruptive behaviour on-board an aircraft is illegal and the worst cases can result in fines, travel bans and custodial sentences.”
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An easyJet spokesperson apologised for any inconvenience caused.
He said: “easyJet’s cabin crew are trained to assess and evaluate all situations and to act quickly and appropriately, to ensure that the safety of the flight and other passengers is not compromised at any time.
“Whilst such incidents are rare we take them very seriously, do not tolerate abusive or threatening behaviour onboard.
“We would like to apologise to passengers for the delay and thank them for their understanding.
“The safety and wellbeing of passengers and crew is always easyJet’s priority.”
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