Mid-air madness: Unruly passenger turns Lufthansa flight to Bangkok into chaos

Photo courtesy of Aviation International News

A 53 year old German man turned a routine Lufthansa flight from Munich to Bangkok into a chaotic nightmare. From threats to undressing and attempting to set a blanket ablaze, this turbulent episode forced an unscheduled landing in India.

Just a few hours into the 10-hour and 45-minute journey, chaos erupted as the unnamed German man unleashed a series of disturbing actions. His wife, feeling threatened, sought help from the airline staff, setting off a chain of events that would leave the entire flight on edge.

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Responding to his wife’s plea, the unruly passenger escalated the situation dramatically. Witnesses revealed that he not only threw food but also attempted to set a blanket on fire with a lighter. Adding to the pandemonium, he smashed his phone and shockingly undressed mid-flight, screaming menacingly.

“I’ll kill you all!”

The cabin crew’s instructions fell on deaf ears as the situation spiralled out of control.

As panic set in, the pilots discreetly communicated with Indian air traffic control, securing permission for an emergency landing at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport in Delhi. Passengers revealed that flight monitors were intentionally shut off to conceal the unscheduled landing.

Upon touchdown, six soldiers stormed the aircraft, escorting the frenzied man off the plane. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed his arrest, with Lufthansa coordinating with the German Embassy over the incident, reported The Mirror UK.

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Amid the uproar, Lufthansa released a statement addressing the incident, confirming the diversion due to the unruly passenger. Emphasising passenger and crew safety, the airline assured that the flight to Bangkok would continue with minimal delays.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is actively involved in the ongoing investigation, highlighting the gravity of the situation.

In related news, major Chinese airlines such as Air China, China Eastern, and Shanghai Airlines, slam the brakes on flights for December and January. Read more about this story HERE.

Aviation NewsThailand News

Puntid Tantivangphaisal

Originally from Hong Kong, Puntid moved to Bangkok in 2020 to pursue further studies in translation. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Comparative Literature from the University of Hong Kong. Puntid spent 8 years living in Manchester, UK. Before joining The Thaiger, Puntid has been a freelance translator for 2 years. In her free time, she enjoys swimming and listening to music, as well as writing short fiction and poetry.

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