Cabin crew on an Emirates flight between Dubai and Islamabad were forced to tackle a drunk passenger and truss him up with flexicuffs after he allegedly became ‘violent’ during the two-and-a-half-hour flight to the Pakistan capital.
Video shared on social media showed two male cabin crew manhandle the passenger to the ground as other crew members hand them a wad of black flexicuffs to cuff his hands and feet.
The incident is said to have occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning, with Emirates flight EK614 landing in Islamabad at around 1:20 am.
The passenger was so drunk that reporter Amir Mateen shared a video of the suspect being wheeled off the aircraft in a wheelchair while someone implored him to drink water in an attempt to sober up.
Very visible displays of drunkenness are not unusual on flights to Pakistan because they are seen as the last opportunity for alcohol-drinking Pakistanis to enjoy a drink before landing in the country.
Alcohol is strictly controlled throughout Pakistan, and only foreigners in a small number of hotels are allowed to buy or consume alcohol.
Despite the man’s ‘violent’ outburst that one passenger said left him ‘terrified’ for the remainder of the flight, there are some reports that the suspect was ‘well connected’ and might not face criminal charges in relation to the matter.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Emirates told us: “Emirates can confirm that there was an unruly passenger on flight EK614 travelling from Dubai to Islamabad on 24 February. The passenger was restrained by cabin crew and upon arrival, was handed over to the authorities.”
“The safety of our passengers and crew is of critical importance and Emirates strives to ensure this is never compromised. Emirates is cooperating with the authorities at this time and cannot comment further.”
