DUBAI // An Emirates airline passenger was arrested on Sunday after allegedly attacking crew members on a flight from Dubai to London.
Dr Farah Jameel, a general practitioner, who was returning to her home in London aboard flight EK005, said a man had to be restrained by crew.
“He kept saying ‘I want my lawyer. Don’t touch me, I have rights, I will sue you for assault’,” said Dr Jameel.
Dr Jameel said a passenger was put in a headlock by an on-board police officer, then restrained by four crew members for the remaining four hours of the eight-hour flight.
Three rows of nearby passengers, including children who were seated two rows down from him, had to be cleared, she said.
“It didn’t feel safe and I was very worried and concerned for my safety and that of the cabin crew,” she said.
Dr Jameel said she was equally concerned for the safety of the man being restrained.
Dr Jameel said she felt the crew could have better handled the situation.
“The staff would have been better to communicate with us and reassure us rather than stand over passengers making sure they deleted images of the incident,” she said.
The Metropolitan Police in London confirmed that a 30-year-old man had been arrested and charged.
He was due to appear at Uxbridge Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Emirates airline confirmed the incident, saying the passenger had been handed over to authorities in London. “The safety of our passengers and crew is of critical importance and will not be compromised. As the matter is now under police investigation, Emirates cannot comment further on the incident,” the airline said in a statement.
tsubaihi@thenational.ae
