A FlySafair passenger who caused a major disruption on a flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town now faces a hefty fine and a ban from the airline. Flight FA600 was forced to make an emergency landing in Bloemfontein after the passenger became unruly and allegedly threatened fellow travelers. Video footage shows passengers restraining the individual until authorities arrived. FlySafair has placed the passenger on its No-Fly List and plans to bill him up to R100,000 to cover the costs of the diversion, including fuel and landing fees. The airline thanked the passengers who assisted the crew in managing the situation. According to FlySafair, the captain decided to divert the aircraft to ensure the safety and comfort of everyone on board. The incident is the latest in a series of in-flight disturbances, highlighting ongoing challenges for airlines.
A FlySafair passenger faces a potential R100,000 fine and a ban from the airline after disrupting a flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town, forcing an emergency diversion to Bloemfontein. The incident occurred on Flight FA600 when the passenger exhibited aggressive behavior, prompting the captain to reroute the aircraft for the safety and comfort of the other passengers and crew.
According to FlySafair's Chief Marketing Officer, Kirby Gordon, the disruptive passenger was met by the South African Police Service upon landing in Bloemfontein. Video footage of the incident showed the man being restrained by fellow passengers after allegedly threatening others onboard. One passenger, who recorded the event, claimed the disruption began because the man was unhappy with the change he received for a bottle of water.
FlySafair has since added the individual to its No-Fly List. The airline also intends to invoice him for the costs associated with the diversion, including fuel and landing fees, which could amount to R100,000, as per the airline's terms and conditions. Gordon expressed gratitude to the passengers who assisted the crew in managing the situation, emphasizing FlySafair's commitment to the safety of its passengers and staff. This incident follows a recent event where a captain fell ill mid-air, highlighting the unpredictable challenges airlines face.
Timeslive
https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2025-05-19-disruptive-passenger-could-face-r100000-fine-and-flysafair-ban-after-emergency-diversion/
Iol
https://iol.co.za/news/2025-05-15-flysafair-fines-and-bans-passenger-after-in-flight-altercation-forces-emergency-landing/
Capetownetc
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/flysafair-makes-unexpected-stop-in-bloemfontein-to-offload-passenger/