A passenger launched a violent attack on Emirates cabin crew during a flight from Dubai to Heathrow which allegedly included headbutting in mid-air on Sunday.
The man was forced to the floor before being tied up on the Heathrow-bound plane when he allegedly began assaulting crew members in a fit of rage. Witnesses said three were attacked before he headbutted a fourth.
It happened on flight EK005, which landed at the airport last night at around 8pm and the alleged attacker is still being questioned by officers at Heathrow Police Station.
According to reports, he was held for two and a half hours before police “swarmed” the Emirates aeroplane when it landed and arrested the suspect. He is currently being held at a Heathrow police station.
Dr Jameel, deputy chair of the British Medical Association’s equality and inclusion committee, added. “The guy was pinned down and they had tied him up. His hands, legs, and even someone holding his head.
“They held him there trying to calm him down but he still kept abusing. The whole cabin could hear, everyone was freaked out,” Jameel said. “It was the second time he had kicked off. There was a police officer on the flight and he put him in a headlock”, Jameel added.
“On landing officers boarded the plane and arrested the 30-year-old male Dutch national on suspicion of common assault. As the matter is now under police investigation Emirates cannot comment further on the incident,” a spokesperson said.