Ruckus on Jetstar Aircraft
From today's 'Sunday Tasmanian' -
A JETSTAR flight was cancelled and four or five passengers detained by Australia Federal Police last night after an argument over luggage escalated into a shouting match.
Jetstar spokeswoman Andrea Wait confirmed that Jetstar flight JQ724, from Hobart to Sydney, had been delayed then cancelled and rearranged after an argument between staff and a few passengers.
"An argument between staff and multiple passengers about oversized baggage become heated, and the passengers were asked to leave the plane," Ms Wait said.
"The passengers continued to argue with staff but were eventually removed and were detained by police."
Ms Wait said Jetstar was forced to reschedule the flight for 9am today as the pilot had exceeded his daily flying hours by the time the situation was resolved.
"We were unable to reschedule the flight this evening as the pilot had already reached his allotted hours for the day, but we have organised another flight for them in the morning."
A passenger on the plane, who was identified only as Malcolm, said the 7.30pm flight was delayed by almost 45 minutes while a group of businessmen and staff had a heated argument over luggage.
"Before we boarded, there was an argument between Jetstar staff and about four or five passengers," Malcolm said.
"The argument then reignited when these passengers boarded the plane and a scuffle ensued between them and staff."
The passenger compared the scuffle to a rugby scrum, but said nobody had been hurt.
"I think they were trying to bring an oversized bag onto the plane after they had been told they couldn't, and next thing you know they were shouting their heads off," he said.
"That was followed by a bit of pushing and shoving."
Jetstar organised overnight accommodation for passengers who were not from Hobart and it was believed the passengers forced off the plane would not be flying out on today's rescheduled flight.