Overview
- An easyJet Airbus A320 on the Tenerife to Liverpool route turned back about 30 minutes after takeoff on Tuesday evening when air traffic control said roughly ten passengers became involved in a physical altercation and the captain requested a police presence.
- Local authorities met the aircraft at Tenerife South, removed disruptive travellers, and the 186‑passenger flight then continued to Liverpool after the situation was resolved; some outlets reported eight British passengers were removed while other passengers have disputed the scale of the fight.
- A separate easyJet service from London Gatwick to Ibiza transmitted transponder code 7700, the international signal for a general emergency, then returned to Gatwick and was met by emergency services while easyJet said the diversion was caused by a technical issue.
- Air traffic control, airport teams and the airline followed standard priority‑return procedures in both cases, which include expedited routing, a precautionary ground response and crew reports to police or emergency services on arrival.
- The incidents have added momentum to UK government discussions about allowing airlines to share data on unruly passengers and to consider wider bans, a policy change intended to deter serious disruptive behaviour and speed enforcement.