A KLM Boeing 777-300ER on its way to the Ghanaian capital Accra returned to Schiphol this afternoon because of a violent passenger. A spokesman for the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee informs NH that it is a 44-year-old Spaniard who threatened and assaulted both the crew and fellow passengers. Once back at Schiphol, the man was disembarked by the Marechaussee.
The Spanish man was also drunk. The Boeing was flying above the border area between Belgium and France when the pilots decided to return to Schiphol. The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee awaited the flight there and then arrested the amok maker on board.
According to the spokesman for the Marechaussee, it is not yet clear who and in what way the Spaniard attacked these persons, but it is certain that he was arrested for threats, violence and public drunkenness. The man is still trapped. Because he is still too drunk to make a statement, he will not be questioned until tomorrow.
The aircraft departed for Accra around 4.45 pm and was back at Schiphol about an hour later. Flight KL589 departed for Ghana an hour and a quarter after arriving at Schiphol.
Five hours flight
The delay was relatively minor for the passengers on this flight. At the end of March, a KLM Boeing also returned to Schiphol because of a violent passenger. That aircraft flew to the Canadian city of Calgary, but turned around near Iceland and landed again at Schiphol after five hours of flying.