A fight broke out on a KLM flight Friday morning after two passengers refused to wear a facemask. Spanish authorities met the flight from Amsterdam on its arrival in Ibiza, and the two passengers were arrested. The nationality of the passengers involved has not been confirmed. However, footage of the fight filmed by another passenger appears to show two English-speaking passengers brawling.
Brawl over facemasks
Wearing facemasks has become a part of the new normal, as countries implement rules to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. As the aviation industry adapts to the current situation, facemasks have become mandatory onboard several flights. Nevertheless, there still appears to be some reluctance by some passengers to wear them.
This reluctance led to a fight breaking out on KLM flight 1495 from Amsterdam to Ibiza on Friday. Two passengers refused point-blank to wear a facemask and became abusive when challenged by the cabin crew for not complying with the airline’s rules. A video posted on Twitter by a passenger onboard the flight shows that cabin crew and passengers worked together to restrain and subdue the two passengers involved.
“Stoppen nu, er zijn kinderen hiero!”Knokpartij op @klm vlucht naar Ibiza. Dronken passagier weigert mondkapje te dragen ✈️
Panic and violent brawl! Unruly passenger on board KLM flight,he refused to wear face mask 😷#incident #klm #avgeek #aviation #planespotting @KLM_press pic.twitter.com/RPM0g1Kqh9
— The Mic High Club Luchtvaart Podcast (@MicHighClub) August 2, 2020
As the flight was far from its origin, the captain of the aircraft decided to continue to Ibiza. Upon landing, the two passengers were turned over to Spanish authorities. A report in Dutch media noted that the passengers involved had been drinking. In a statement to Simple Flying, the airline said,
“Last Friday there was an incident on KL1495 from Amsterdam to Ibiza. During this flight two passengers misbehaved verbally and physically. The captain informed the authorities in Ibiza and both persons were arrested upon arrival. Flight safety was not endangered.”
Facemask rules become stricter
There have been several reports of passengers onboard flights refusing to wear facemasks, although thankfully, this is the first report of an incident turning violent. In June, a passenger onboard a KLM flight was fined $353 (€300) by the Dutch Royal Military police for not complying with facemask rules.
Just last week, a Delta Air Lines flight from Detroit to Atlanta returned to the gate after two passengers refused to wear face coverings. The two passengers were removed from the plane before it was allowed to take off.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian said that the airline already has 100 people on its no-fly list for refusing to wear facemasks.
What happens if I don’t wear a mask on a plane? – @WillieGeist
We will insist that you don’t fly Delta into the future. –@Delta CEO Ed Bastian pic.twitter.com/8CBXALKd6d
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) July 22, 2020
Several airlines in the US have tightened the rules regarding face masks in recent days. This move came in an attempt to restore confidence in customers as travel demand remains low.
KLM facing difficulties
Friday was a busy day for KLM news-wise, as the company announced that it would be cutting a further 5,000 positions across the KLM group. The airline said that the move was necessary to adapt its organization to deal with the current situation.
The cuts would include 1,500 compulsory layoffs from the current workforce of 33,000. The other cuts would come from the voluntary redundancy scheme and the non-renewal of temporary contracts. KLM is not expecting travel demand to increase until 2023 or 2024.
What do you think about facemasks on flights? Let us know in the comments.
