Jet2.com has reacted to the sentencing of a drunk passenger who lit a cigarette on an aircraft flying from Antalya to Leeds Bradford airport.
Emma Woolley was jailed for four months at Leeds Crown Court this week after admitting entering an aircraft while drunk, smoking on an aircraft and behaving in a threatening, abusive or disorderly manner towards a member of cabin crew.
Crew on the flight called for police assistance to offload the 43-year-old from Wakefield when the aircraft landed on January 28.
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This was in response to her smoking in the toilet and illicitly consuming alcohol which had been purchased in duty free.
Judge Ray Singh said: “I can’t avoid an immediate custodial sentence.
“These type of offences have to be met with a deterrent to ensure others do not behave in the way that you did.”
Jet2.com managing director Phil Ward said: “This sentencing should send out a stark and sobering example to the tiny minority of people who cannot enjoy their flight responsibly.
“This summer we will fly millions of hardworking customers and families away to enjoy their well-deserved holidays, but sadly there are a handful of people who behave in a disruptive fashion, often fuelled by alcohol that has been purchased in duty free and is then illicitly consumed onboard.
“Our message to them is very simple – we take a zero tolerance approach to disruptive passenger behaviour, as do the courts – and by acting irresponsibly you run the risk of a criminal record and even a prison sentence.”
He added: “As a family friendly airline, we will not hesitate to take action against disruptive passenger behaviour. That includes issuing bans, billing disruptive customers for costs that we incur, and working with the authorities to support successful prosecutions.
“Ms Woolley must now face the consequences of her behaviour and we are confident that this sentencing will send out a very clear message to others about how severe the consequences can be.”