Ryanair passengers searched ‘one by one’ after ‘cigarettes stolen’ and holidaymaker ‘kicks off’ onboard flight
Three men have been charged following separate incidents on a Ryanair flight from Marrakesh to Edinburgh on Saturday night.
A 41-year-old man faces charges for allegedly causing a disturbance on the aircraft, which landed at Edinburgh Airport at around 11.25pm.
Two other men, aged 31 and 34, received recorded police warnings after cigarettes worth £100 were reportedly stolen from the plane, leading to all passengers being searched as they disembarked.
Police were called to the aircraft following reports of a disruptive passenger during the flight.
The 41-year-old man was charged in connection with the alleged disturbance and is expected to appear in court at a later date.
Officers boarded the plane upon its arrival at Edinburgh Airport to deal with the situation.
While dealing with the initial incident, police were informed that cigarettes had been stolen from the plane.
Officers allegedly gave the culprits ten minutes to come forward before beginning a systematic search of all passengers.
Police then began unloading passengers from the front row only, checking bags and suitcases as people disembarked.
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A passenger on the flight shared footage of the incident on social media, noting that “every passenger was searched due to £100 worth of cigarettes being stolen from the cart.”
The search operation resulted in two men being charged in connection with the theft of cigarettes.
Both men were issued recorded police warnings for the incident.
The thorough search process meant it took over an hour for all passengers to disembark from the aircraft.
A Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed that while dealing with the initial disturbance, “officers were made aware of the theft of cigarettes from the plane” and subsequent enquiries led to the two men being charged.
Ryanair passenger @simonwaterpolo shared footage of the incident, stating: “Ryanair flight to Edinburgh, every passenger was searched due to £100 worth of cigarettes being stolen from the cart.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 11.25pm on Saturday, 1 February, police received a report of a disruptive passenger on board an incoming flight to Edinburgh Airport.”
Ryanair has been approached for comment regarding the incidents.