Ryanair called on to apologise over arrested passenger
07.12.06
A man who led a passenger revolt against budget airline Ryanair after being trapped on a plane for almost six hours was admonished by a court yesterday. However the judge said that its was it was 'ridiculous' that John Wilkie, a 36 year old university lecturer, was prosecuted for the offence and added that he felt Mr Wilkie was owed an apology by Ryanair.
Mr Wilkie snapped at the end of a family holiday when a terror alert caused his Ryanair flight to Prestwick Airport to be diverted to Edinburgh airport. His family had to spend nearly six hours on the plane. Unable to get water for his two young children - aged 3 and 5 - and dismayed by the attitude and lack of information from Ryanair staff, Mr Wilkie disobeyed the pilot's orders and tried to get off the plane - followed by around 30 other passengers.
After being persuaded to return to the cabin, Mr Wilkie was amazed when police came on board to arrest him. He was charged with causing a security alert on the flight and his wife, Michelle, was accused of assaulting an air hostess during the fracas.
At Edinburgh Sheriff Court Mr Wilkie admitted the offence, but the judge refused to punish him after receiving dozens of letters from passengers who had been on board the flight supporting him. Sheriff Andrew Lothian insisted it was 'ridiculous' that he was prosecuted for the offence and claimed he was owed an apology by Ryanair.
A spokeswoman for Ryanair said: 'Ryanair will press charges against any passenger who disobeys the instructions of our crew,' adding that it stood by its actions and insisting staff should follow the same procedure next time.
As an aside, Mr Wilkie's outbound flight with Ryanair was cancelled twice, and he eventually flew to Paris via Spain.
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