DUBAI // An out-of-control, drunk passenger who had to be tied to his chair on an Emirates flight had his one-year sentence reduced to six months by the Dubai Court of Appeal on Sunday.
F J, 28, a Ukrainian sailor, was convicted by the Criminal Court after he ran around the plane and tried to open the door to the cockpit.
The sailor also molested two flight attendants as they tried to restrain him in his seat.
He was also convicted of consuming alcohol without a licence.
Police said the sailor confessed he had been very drunk but had not meant to cause trouble.
D S, 45, the services manager, said F J started being a nuisance about 90 minutes after the flight to Singapore took off from Dubai on February 20.
“He headed to the captain’s cabin two times, trying to open the door,” said D S. The crew also reported that F J had tried to light a cigarette.
“The captain had no other choice but to order that we tie F J to his chair.”
R M, 35, a Filipina flight attendant, said: “We tried to stop him from drinking but he didn’t listen and he continued drinking then touched my chest as I was helping tie him to his chair.”
She added that the Ukrainian also assaulted her and her colleagues by pushing them away as they were trying to control him.
A P, 22, a Romanian flight attendant, said F J’s behaviour had terrified other passengers.
She added that the sailor had punched his chair and food tray when cabin crew refused to serve him alcohol.
“When we were trying to control him, he grabbed me by my neck and tried to kiss me. I pushed him but he then touched my chest,” said A P.
A Dh1,000 fine and a deportation order against the sailor were upheld by the Court of Appeal.
salamir@thenational.ae
