Three people were arrested at Shannon yesterday after two transatlantic jets were forced to divert to the airport following separate alleged air rage incidents.
A Ukrainian husband and wife, aged 43 and 39 respectively, were arrested after the flight on which they were travelling had to dump thousands of litres of fuel before landing at Shannon at 3.42pm.
The pair were detained soon after the jet touched down and taken to Shannon Garda station for questioning.
Martinair flight 621 was en route from Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam to Varadera Cuba when the crew requested permission to divert to Shannon. The pair, who had been drinking on board, had to be overpowered by crew members after they persistently refused to return to their seats. Staff used plastic cable ties to restrain them. The Martinair flight continued its journey at 5.20pm after refuelling.
In the second incident, a Delta Airlines flight from Istanbul to New York JFK International Airport also diverted to Shannon following an incident involving a male passenger.
Gardaí have confirmed he may not face charges in relation to the incident. They were last night interviewing other passengers and crew members amid reports he may been ill and became distressed on board the flight. It is also thought that the man was travelling under the care of a doctor.
