DUBAI // A drunk Emirates Airline passenger who had to be tied to his seat because he was out of control on a flight from Singapore to Dubai has been jailed for a year.
Ukrainian sailor F J, 28, was charged with assault at Dubai Criminal Court for using force against the crew and with making a mess on board the plane as he kept running up and down the aisle and tried to open the pilot’s door.
He was also charged with molesting two flight attendants by touching them inappropriately as they tried to restrain him and with consuming alcohol without a licence.
Police said the sailor confessed to them that he had been very drunk and had committed the offences but that he had not meant to cause a fuss.
On-board services manager D S, 45, testified that the sailor started being a problem about an hour and a half after the plane took off on February 20.
“He then headed to the captain’s cabin two times, trying to open the door,” said D S.
“They also told me that he tried to light up a cigarette.
“The captain had no other choice but to order that we tie F J to his chair.”
Filipina flight attendant R M, 35, said: “We tried to stop him from drinking but he didn’t listen and he continued drinking then touched my chest as I was helping tie him to his chair, according to the captain’s orders.”
She added that the Ukrainian also assaulted her colleagues, when he pushed them away as they were trying to control him.
Romanian flight attendant A P, 22, said his actions spread fear among other passengers and that he violently hit his chair and food tray when cabin crew refused to give him alcohol.
“When we were trying to control him, he grabbed me by my neck and tried to kiss me. I pushed him but he then touched my chest,” said A P.
The sailor was fined Dh1,000 and will be deported after serving his jail term.
salamir@thenational.ae