Rowdy passenger forces London-bound flight back to Hong Kong

HONG KONG – A rowdy British passenger forced a London-bound Virgin Atlantic flight to return to Hong Kong on Monday after he “lost control,” police said.

The 26-year-old, identified only as “Robert,” was on a Heathrow-bound plane from Hong Kong International Airport and became disruptive after the flight had been in the air for more than an hour.

It was forced to turn around after 90 minutes, the airline said, and landed safely back in Hong Kong.

The passenger was arrested then sent to hospital, authorities said.

“The foreign man called Robert, who is 26 years old, lost control on board and didn’t follow instructions from staff on the flight,” a police spokesman told AFP.

“He was shouting… When the flight returned to Hong Kong, the man was arrested for violating aviation security ordinance and was sent to Princess Margaret Hospital,” he added.

A Hong Kong airport authority spokeswoman said that flight VS201, an Airbus A340, had departed at midnight.

Stranded passengers were put up in Hong Kong hotels and will fly out again on Monday night.

“The flight went back to Hong Kong after 90 minutes for a disruptive passenger,” a Hong Kong-based Virgin Atlantic spokeswoman said.

“The rest of the passengers were provided with accommodation before they depart tonight.”

Police said Monday that the man had not yet been charged.

Authorities were unable to confirm whether he was still hospitalized and what treatment he had received.