Astraeus 737 diverted after fans 'riot'

I cannot profess to know any more than you do about this case but the problem we now have is that since Sept 11th everyone is guilty until proven innocent. The flightcrew now only get information by ‘chinese whispers’ relayed from the cabin crew. This will tainted by their own interpretation which may have been the case here. In my opinion the pilots acted 100% correctly but don’t know enough about the cabin situation to comment on what happened here.

Even if this is a genuine over reaction I think you’ll find that all the other airlines are extremely happy that this situation happened as it has sent an important message to the travelling public about policing of behaviour onboard commercial aircraft.

kneejerk crew

So, how come there wasn’t a main headline in all the press telling us they’d got it wrong, there hadn’t been a ‘near riot’…

From BBC News Online
Four Celtic fans have been fined by a Welsh court following a mid-air alert during a flight from Spain.
The privately chartered jet, carrying 148 supporters, made an emergency landing at Cardiff International Airport last December.

The four fans admitted charges including being drunk on board an airplane and behaving abusively and were together fined almost £700 including costs.

The men were arrested on their way back to Glasgow from a Uefa cup match against Celta Vigo in Spain.

Magistrates in Barry, South Wales, heard the pilot made the emergency landing after the air crew said they were confronted by drunken fans causing “ugly scenes” on the jet.

The court also heard a row had erupted about smoking in the toilets.

Other fans were then said to be angry when they were told they would be detained on board to trace the culprits when they landed at Glasgow.

Their protests triggered the pilot to make an emergency landing at Cardiff Airport – where the fans were greeted by 60 police, fire crews and paramedics.

Prosecutor Richard Killick said: “The attitude and demeanour of the passengers towards the cabin crew was already hostile because the flight had twice been delayed and was running 12 hours late.

“When they were told they would be delayed again while staff investigated the smoking in the toilets, the situation degenerated.

“It got to the point where a senior air stewardess was struck on the arm by someone who has never been traced.

“The pilot took the view that the safety of his staff had been compromised and gave a Mayday signal.”

One fan caught drinking – Joseph Duffy, 19, of East Kilbride – was fined £150 with £35 costs after admitting being drunk on board an airplane.

Another fan, a 17-year-old juvenile who cannot be named, admitted being drunk on an airplane and smoking on an airplane while prohibited. He was fined £200 with £35 costs.

James Brennan, 42, of Inverclyde, near Glasgow, and welder Hugh Haggerty, 37, of Glasgow, both admitted offences of behaving in a threatening, abusive, or disorderly manner.

Each were fined £100 with £35 costs.

Dave Pinnell, defending Duffy, described it as “not so much a storm in a tea-cup as a storm in a Celtic T-shirt”.

He said: “Some of the passengers felt some of the aircrew had not handled the situation properly and that the actions of the pilot were unnecessary.”

Five other fans arrested were released without charge by South Wales Police.

Now, without wanting to trivialise the matter, two teenagers being drunk/smuggling a bottle of Vodka on board an aircraft, one of whom also smoked in the toilets, and two men behaving, after the aircraft landed, which is crucially not mentioned in the article, in a ‘threatening, abusive or disorderly manner’, is hardly a near ‘riot’… Especially considering the stresses they’d been subjected to…

So… a mayday was called because of a bottle of Vodka and a kid smoking in the toilets 🙁

(see also http://www.etims.net/features/aeu308followup.html )

RE: Astraeus 737 diverted after fans ‘riot’

well, again, from a certain fhanzine…

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Welsh police have finally brought charges following enquiries into the alleged mid-air riot on flight AEU308.

After interviewing more than 140 passengers, flight crew, cabin crew, stewards and several journalists willing to act as character witnesses for the Astraeus’s employees, two brothers aged 17 and 18 were arrested early on Saturday morning and whisked down to Cardiff. The teenagers were placed in separate police cars, presumably in case these desperate felons turned upon their captors and fled into the hills. Upon arrival at their destination the two were charged with “suspicion” of causing a “riot” in the air.

The arrests are peculiar considering the fact that the six passengers originally arrested included two 37-year-olds, with the others aged 40, 42, 45 and 51. Presumably the police have insufficient evidence to charge the original detainees with any offence, which calls into question the reliability of the aircraft crew’s allegations that led to their arrest in the first place.

“You are lucky if either of the two are over 5 foot 5 or weigh even 10 stone for that matter and as I have already stated have never been in any bother with the law before,” said a friend of those charged. “With the profile of this case being so high, especially in today’s climate, and the money been spent on helicopter escorts the police need someone to blame and since that they could never blame the airline or pilot, who by all accounts has over reacted to a nothing situation, they have subsequently decided to scare two young boys senseless in the hope of finding a scapegoat.”

The fact that only two passengers have been charged with such a curious offence also brings into question the allegations that two separate incidents occurred on the flight – unless each brother held their own one-man riots. There is also the fact that the commercial director of Astraeus, Jonathan Hinkles, claimed that a member of the cabin crew had been physically assaulted, it is strange indeed that no charges have been brought regarding this serious offence. It is also rather peculiar that the behaviour of two slightly-built teenagers could have led the cabin crew to inform the pilot that they had lost control of the cabin and thus precipitate an emergency mayday call; it should be remembered that this action should only be taken when loss of life is imminent.

The E-tims will watch developments with interest, meanwhile passengers are standing by their accusations that the riot claim was a ruse to divert an aircraft suffering from persistent mechanical problems.

RE: Astraeus 737 diverted after fans ‘riot’

again we can’t say until a full indipentant evaluation is released. Due to the fact that the term MAYDAY was used on the broadcast, ultimatly leading to an Emergency Landing it appears to me that this issue should be the subject of an AAIB report in the next couple of months

RE: Astraeus 737 diverted after fans ‘riot’

http://www.celticsupporterassoc.co.uk/flight_au_308.htm#FLIGHT AU308 THE TRUTH

RE: Astraeus 737 diverted after fans ‘riot’

I think someone is feeling very sheepish over an absurd knee jerk reaction to this. It’s also strange how no one is condemning the airling over this. If it happened in any other walk of life there would be recriminations, law suits, you name it.

It reminds me of those images in the US where a guy leans on a counter at an airport and the dumb female worker instantly screams “don’t come near me!! rape!! rape!!”.

RE: Astraeus 737 diverted after fans ‘riot’

If anyone can be bothered reading this (it’s 13 pages long, and not purely about the flight) there’s an [link:www.etims.net/features/aeu308.html|article] at a Fanzine which look sat all aspects of the alleged incident…

If you do read it, bear with it, it does have a rant at the media’s portrayal of the incident first…

And, bear in mind, it’s a fanzine, so does need to be taken with a pinch of salt at times (well, mainly the chip on it’s shulder about the media)…

But what does appear to be appearing is that the aircraft involved was, well, i wouldn’t say not airworthy, but would appear to have suffered from more than it’s fair share of engine trouble before both the outward and return flights, and it does raise the question of how these problems affected the nerves of the crew, and how they dealt with the issue of the cigarette at 30’000 feet.

Anyway, maybe some of our pilots here could have a look and post their thoughts on what they read (if you want to post anything you’ve heard through the grapevine, that’d be great too, but I understand the issue of confidentiality).

It does seem to be a total storm in a teacup, and it’s certainly not good press for Celtic, anyway.

RE: Astraeus 737 diverted after fans ‘riot’

It was of their opinion that they fell that distance whether the piolet done it delib or not. Knowing the Celtic fans (Sorry Bhoy) he probably exagerated a bit. I know if I was in that position I would have s**t a brick. But I have know this guy for a long time and I know when he is telling porkies. I dont condone any sort of trouble on a plane but he did say that it was something out of nothing and the cabing crew went well over board.

RE: Astraeus 737 diverted after fans ‘riot’

Only got back today from a week away to hear about this ?? Ive got a story or two to tell on this subject from my last two sectors.Sorry but too tired to go into detail at moment but in the next couple of days i will post a full report.

Regards,

Lyndon.

RE: Astraeus 737 diverted after fans ‘riot’

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 16-12-02 AT 11:41 AM (GMT)]It is an unfortunate fact (and one that nobody really wants) that aviation has taken a total change since 9-11. The airlines are now forced into taking an approach of guilty until proven innocent. This is however no justification for the crews to be hostile unless given definite cause.
It is also an unfortunate fact that the non-footie supporting population tend to assume the the 1% of footie fans that are trouble makers are typical of all supporters and treat any fan with suspicion. Perhaps the best way to deal with that is for the supporters to start regulating themselves some more to rid us of the image. While rugby fans are probably no better, they certainly don’t carry the same vandal label.

On the subject of ‘rioting’ – this term has only ever been applied by the media.

With regard to flying the cheap airlines (both low cost and the charters) – if you pay peanuts you get monkeys (with the exception of safety which the CAA will not allow you to skimp on).

RE: Astraeus 737 diverted after fans ‘riot’

I am also a Celtic fan, probably one of the few Norwegian Celtic fans there is 🙂

This is a typical newspaper story. You cannot “Run riot” on an airplane. Rioting is when a large number of people go completely bonkers and try and cause damage to everything around them.

It never ceases to amaze me how people judge a group the same if they wear the same clothes, just like racists judge a group of people the same if they have the same skin colour. And innocent football fans often find themselves being held accountable for something another person they don’t even know did just bechause they have the same top on.

In spring 1998 i travelled to London to see my local team from Oslo take on Chelsea at Stamford bridge together with about 3500 other fans. All Ryan Air flights the week before and after the match were full of football fans. Inevitably there had been reports about a person here and there being drunk on the plane and such, but should i be held accountable for that?

On the day of the flight we took a bus to Oslo Torp, a ridiculous name for the airport, since it’s actually 2,5 hours from Oslo, in a different county. It was snowing heavliy, and we were all worried. After waiting for two hours at the airport in the departure lounge (where some people had bought stuff at the tax free and started drinking it bechause of the long wait..) we were told that the aircraft has had to land on OSL, about three and a half hours to the north. So it was back in the bus, go to OSL, and finally, after waiting at OSL for an hour we got on the flight.

Since we were flying RyanAir i didnt exactly expect a free lunch as an apology for us missing an entire day in London, but when i came to the aircraft, wearing my football top, I had not been drinking, i wasn’t angry bechause of the delay, i actually tried and smile to them as i boarded the aircraft, but i still got a very hostile reception from the crew. The aircraft was a mess, and had not been cleaned and the cabin crew did not greet me back when i said hello and tried to smile as i walked in. I still remember one of the women actually gave me one of those scary looks that only women can do when they are really pissed.

What the hell did i do?

The cabin crew remained hostile towards everyone thruout the journey, we had no food or drinks onboard and most people hadnt eaten for many hours. Then, a moron lit a cigarette in the bathroom. What a jerkoff i thought, and was glad when he put it out and returned to his seat without any arguments whatsoever. But still, the captain came on the microphone and told everyone that if “we did something like that again”, they would land somewhere and leave us all behind.

I dont know what happened on this aircraft, but i do know, that if you are a football fan and one in your group steps out of line, you lose all credibility.

RE: Astraeus 737 diverted after fans ‘riot’

I think what may help in these type of situations is if officials from the club are present on the flight and that all travelling supporters on chartered flights or “en masse” bookings are held in some way accountable for their actions. In other words, someone on the plane acting as a mediator between the group and the airline.

I know this flight wasn’t booked through an officially recognised supporters group, but through a travel agency specialising in these trips. Perhaps someone with clout from Celtic plc on the flight taking names and numbers with the promise of a club ban may act as a suitable deterrent to the unruly members of the company who have spoiled an otherwise untarnished reputation.

I think the club and all clubs should take a more active role in organising away trip flights, but I suspect this incident will in fact be a one off, in terms of Celtic and most clubs in general.

RE: Astraeus 737 diverted after fans ‘riot’

Quote Selsport – ‘…What the news fails to tell you is that the aircraft failed to start twice and plummeted between 5000 and 10000 feet in midair with no explanation from the flight deck…’

I haven’t yet formed an opinion as to what happened in the cabin but can you tell me how they knew the aircraft had plummeted 5-10000′ in midair if the flightdeck hadn’t said anything? I just need to know so I can give creedance to the supporters side of the story.

Regards
wys

RE: Astraeus 737 diverted after fans ‘riot’

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 14-12-02 AT 08:55 PM (GMT)]At the moment the tendency is to put as many barriers as possible between the flightdeck and the cabin so it is hardly surprising the Captain has to make a decision massively erring on the side of caution. Aggressive or not, professional over 45’s are perfectly capable of acting illegally, look at Jeffrey Archer and Robert Maxwell (the basturd who robbed my mother of her pension). The Captain acted on the info he was receiving from the cabin crew (which admittedly only gives one side of the story). However, who are you going to trust? The guy you’ve never met before who you’ve never seen, don’t know his name but you do know he’s a footie fan (unfortunately that unfairly conjures up a direputable image but some of the fans created that for thenselves), or the guy/gal you know who is definitely sober, employed by the same outfit and as far as you know working to the same rulebook as you. If the cabin crew have gone over the top then that is something for the company to deal with internally later. As flightcrew you must act for the safety of your remaining passengers based on the info you have at the time.

I hadn’t commented on this until know as there is not yet enough info to fairly comment whether the cabin crew were right or wrong but one thing is certain in my mind – the flightcrew did exactly the right thing. Regardless of the final outcome it will serve as a benefit to show the public that they need to take a serious look at behaviour on board commercial aircraft.

RE: Astraeus 737 diverted after fans ‘riot’

As a Celtic fan and plane fan i cannot agree more with the above response,what might be seen as light hearted banter might be seen as threatening to some and there is no way to get off the plane at fl330 in a b737.After 9/11 any sort of altercation in the cabin is going to get this response no matter how minor the incident.

RE: Astraeus 737 diverted after fans ‘riot’

I see you’ve wasted no time in updating your avatar after we woz robbed on Thursday Bhoy ! Nice choice of replacement too. As for the alleged “riot at 30,000 feet” it would appear now, with the benefit of hindsight, that declaring a full emergency may have been a tad uncalled for. But hindsight is a marvellous thing. In the heat of the moment the captain was well within his rights to get the plane down as quickly as possible as have the culprits dealt with.

I think the guys who caused the trouble where old enough to know better and deserve to be banned from Parkhead, put on an airline blacklist and have the full force of the law applied to them. These kind of events have repercussions and usually end up affecting the people and associations who are innocent bystanders in it all.

My cousin and her husband were travelling on the flight, both respectable professionals, not yobs. They also agree to be surprised the incident unfolded in such a dramatic fashion. As far as they could see it was nothing more than a very heated discussion and a bit of shoving around. Not that this is in any way acceptable behaviour on a plane of course. And as I say, I assume the culprits will be dealt with suitably by all parties concerned.

RE: Astraeus 737 diverted after fans ‘riot’

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 14-12-02 AT 00:56 AM (GMT)]this is this morning (Saturday’s) version in the online Daily Range-, er, Record…

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CELTIC fans forced a jet to make an emergency landing after two flight attendants claimed they were assaulted during a mid-air riot.

The pilot of the chartered flight sent out a Mayday alert at 30,000ft and two RAF helicopters were scrambled after reports of a serious disturbance on board.

Six fans were arrested after the plane, en route from Santiago in Spain to Glasgow, was diverted to Cardiff.

It was carrying supporters back from Celtic’s UEFA Cup win over Celta Vigo.

Trouble flared when a passenger was allegedly caught smoking in the toilet. The pilot quickly declared an emergency.

More than 50 police officers were waiting when the Boeing 737 – carrying 142 passengers and six crew – made its unscheduled landing.

Three ambulances and a rapid response unit had rushed to the airport. Police surrounded the plane and arrested six passengers. The rest were held under armed guard.

It was claimed that one flight attendant was struck on the arm by a fan.

And it’s alleged a second may have been hurt during the melee, which was described by aviation sources as a “riot”. The pilot’s radio message allegedly said there was “major public disorder” aboard the plane.

Last night, Celtic said they were “extremely concerned” about the incident, but would wait for more details before commenting.

There were claims the fans had been drinking all day, although there was no booze on the flight.

A police source said: “It seems the steward was getting a lot of abuse and trouble from a section of the passengers.

“It took a turn for the worse and there were reports of violence on board.

“The pilot decided it was no longer safe to stay in the air and radioed a Mayday.”

The Celtic fans had been celebrating getting into the last 16 of the UEFA Cup.

South Wales Police were last night interviewing flight attendants and passengers.

The plane landed at around 3.30pm. A police spokeswoman said yesterday afternoon: “We have numerous vehicles and officers at the airport after being requested by the air force.

“We are there carrying out statements and trying to get to the bottom of what has gone on. The pilot clearly felt it was not safe to carry on the journey but it is too early to say if it will result in charges.

“Obviously we treat events of this nature at airports very seriously and at one stage we declared it a full emergency situation.

“Offences on board an aircraft can result in jail terms.”

Two helicopters from Chivenor, Devon, were scrambled shortly after the Mayday was sent. They were stood down after the jet landed safely.

The passengers were led from the plane by police into the terminal building where they were held under armed guard in a secured lounge.

Architect David McKenna, 40, from Clydebank, was on the flight with his brother Jim. He said: “Apparently someone was smoking in the toilets and that caused trouble with the staff.

“I believe there was also an argument between one of the fans, who is a lawyer, and a stewardess. It’s been claimed he put his hands on her and that’s what triggered the pilot to divert to Cardiff.

“As far as I’m concerned there was no trouble or rowdiness, just happy banter.

“Even after the alleged incidents the staff didn’t seem to be panicked at all.

“I think the pilot’s reaction was excessive, it’s incredible we were grounded.

“The police boarded when we touched down and immediately one of the fans had to be carried off because he had taken a panic attack.

“No one felt threatened at any time. There was no fracas and I’m amazed this has happened.

“There was no alcohol served on the flight and everyone was sober, except for some who had a few drinks before they got on. But everyone was in a good mood and there was no hint of trouble.”

He added that police refused to tell the fans when they would be released or how they would get back to Glasgow.

Another passenger, Steve Prince, said: “There was no alcohol on the flight. No one was drinking their own alcohol.”

A spokesman for the jet’s owner Astraeus said: “The incident involved a passenger smoking. The captain told them this was not acceptable.

“A fight ensued and at least one flight attendant was hit on the arm.

“The plane landed safely at 3.30pm. We are currently investigating whether there were any injuries to crew or passengers, or any damage to the plane.

“In these circumstances, the captain’s foremost priority is the safety and security of both passengers and crew and he judged that diverting to Cardiff was the best course of action.” Glasgow travel agent Harry Hynds chartered three flights to Spain for the Celtic game. But last night, he was still in the dark over what happened.

He said: “All I know is that one of our flights was diverted to Cardiff.

“I can’t believe there could have been trouble because this was not a flight full of thugs, these guys are respectable fans.

“A lot of people on the aircraft were regular customers with us for foreign matches.

“I’ve been doing this for 30 years and never had this before.

“We operate a strict no alcohol and no smoking policy.”

RE: Astraeus 737 diverted after fans ‘riot’

Hey SAAB,
A few old adages:
1, Never believe what you read.
2, There are always 2 sides to every story.
3, Innocent until proven guilty.

Don’t get me wrong, if what is being reported actually happened then your reaction is, I think justified, but just remember those that are, in the main reporting this (the media) were not there…..

According to passenger Steve Prince, the situation was not so bad as to deserve the term “riot”.
The problem began when the pilot told passengers they would be detained on the runway at Glasgow, he said.
“After that, there was a discussion between one of the passengers and the cabin crew – it was a little bit heated but not too bad,” he said.
“One of the passengers leaned over and tapped one of the cabin crew on the shoulder.
“The next thing, we were descending at a rapid rate and heading to Cardiff.
“I’m a little surprised to hear there had been a riot on board. There were not any fierce postures taken.”
He claimed “no alcohol whatsoever” had been sold or consumed on the plane.

RE: Astraeus 737 diverted after fans ‘riot’

WOWWWW, from Santiago, my local airport. Naughty guys…indeed. 🙁