Passenger forces Virgin flight detour

[Ben Longden]

• Mario Xuereb
  October 31, 2007 - 11:55AM
   
  

 

 

Disruptive conduct by a woman passenger forced a Virgin Blue flight to make an unscheduled landing in Adelaide this morning.

 

The flight from Perth to Brisbane was forced to divert to Adelaide Airport about 4.20am where Australian Federal Police (AFP) arrested the woman before handing her over to South Australian police, an airport spokesman said.

 

A spokeswoman for the AFP said it was unclear what led to the incident but the woman was undergoing physical and psychological examinations in hospital.

 

Virgin Blue spokeswoman Amanda Bolger said no-one was at risk during the incident.

 

"The plane had to divert to Adelaide because of an unruly passenger.

 

"If there is an unruly passenger on the aircraft you just want them off the plane as soon as possible. It does happen from time to time," she said.

 

Ms Bolger said passengers and crew were not at risk during the incident.

 

"It is up to the crew to make a decision as to what the best course of action is."

 

The plane resumed its flight to Brisbane at 5.15am before landing safely.

 

 

[Yenn]

Isn't it a bit odd that passengers and crew were not at risk, but the plane was diverted. I find it hard to believe that a plane would be diverted if nobody was at risk. Maybe the Virgin spokeswoman was speaking tongue in cheek.

 

 

[Guest Decca]

Said spokeswoman's name sounds suspiciously like that of an ex politician, which would tie in with your quote "speaking tongue in cheek" Yenn.

 

Regards, Decca.

 

 

[Ben Longden]

Brilliant, Decca.... I would never have picked that one up....

 

Ben