Passenger Could Be Charged $17,450 for Unruly Behavior on Flight
They say that crime doesn't pay — but a rowdy passenger on a plane might have to.
Sunwing Airlines wants to charge an unruly passenger more than $17,450 in damages because his behavior forced the aircraft to turn back around to its origin.
Charalabos Nassios was on a July 2017 flight from Montreal to Cuba, which was delayed at the airport for about 50 minutes before takeoff. Nassiso drank alcohol and started to become angry, and once the plane was in the air, began to threaten flight attendants and fellow passengers.
Due to his behavior, the pilots turned the plane around and headed back to Montreal — escorted by two F-15 jets from the US Air Force. Now, the Canadian airline wants Nassios to foot the bill for the cost of the fuel, landing fees, overtime salaries and hotel costs the carrier had to shell out. Sunwing is also requesting that Nassios be put on probation for three years, which would mean he would have to give up his travel documents and stay in Quebec.
Nassios pleaded guilty to the charges of assault, mischief and uttering threats. His lawyer says he does not have the financial resources to fulfill Sunwing's request.
The 40-year-old passenger will be sentenced on April 18.
H/T: Business Insider
