Passengers on a Ryanair flight to Alicante found themselves stuck on the tarmac for 90 minutes when a “young lad” set off bathroom alarms shortly after boarding.
Half a dozen police officers were seen detaining and escorting the individual off the flight at Edinburgh Airport, July 3 after he allegedly vaped in the plane’s toilets and triggered the smoke and vapour detectors.
Flight data shows the 7.05am Edinburgh to Alicante service not taking off until 8.28am, with passengers alleging that the pilot came out to deal with the vaper and ordered him off the Boeing 737 Max 8.
Fellow traveller Tristan James Walker, 39, recorded what happened after the smoke alarms started sounding in the cabin. He said: “A young lad in a group happened to set the alarm off for apparently vaping.”
Tristan continued: “The pilot then came out after the air stewardess explained what happened, and then the pilot stated he would be removed from the plane.
The passenger told Luxury Travel Daily that the removal was “no drama,” adding: “The young lad waited for over six police officers to come on board.
“He was taken off, he was very calm, did not argue or anything, no drama.”
Vaping or smoking on an aircraft carries a hefty penalty, with fines of up to £5000 and possible future flight restrictions for lighting up or hitting a vape pen.
The individual, a 21-year-old man, was charged by Police Scotland with an aviation offence after the July 3 incident. The force said in a statement: “Around 7.55 am on Thursday, July 3, 2025 were called to an aircraft at Edinburgh Airport.
“Officers attended, and a 21-year-old man was charged in connection with an aviation offence. A report was submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”
A spokesperson for Ryanair told the Independent: “The crew of this flight from Edinburgh to Alicante (3 July) called ahead for police assistance prior to departure after a passenger became disruptive onboard.
“This passenger was offloaded before this flight continued to Alicante.
“Ryanair has a strict zero tolerance policy towards passenger misconduct and will continue to take decisive action to combat unruly passenger behaviour, ensuring that all passengers and crew travel in a respectful environment, without unnecessary disruption.
“This is now a matter for local police.”