(7/5/2004)
Bad behavior, possibly triggered by alcohol consumption, landed an Amsterdam-bound passenger on board Garuda Flight GA 7272 on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 in trouble with the law.
The unnamed passenger reportedly did not show signs of inebriation when he boarded the 7:00 a.m. morning flight in Perth, Western Australia. However, according to a statement issued by the airline, the male passenger was observed drinking from a vodka bottle stored in his hand luggage. As the flight covered the distance between Perth and its first stop in Bali en route to a final destination of Amsterdam, the passenger was seen to become increasingly agitated, eventually forcing his way past the crew members to the forward Business Class section of the aircraft.
Implementing training and emergency procedures in place to handle such a situation, the crew, with the help of at least one passenger, subdued the man and placed him in handcuffs before securing him in the rear section of the plane. Meanwhile, the flight deck was informed of the incident who, in turn, contacted air traffic controllers in Bali.
Upon landing at the airport, the man was handed over to waiting Denpasar police officers.
According to the airline, there are no reports of the man making "threats of a terrorist-related nature" prior to the altercation, which caused physical damage to interior elements of the passenger cabin.
It is unclear what, if any charges will be filed against the man by the police or if Garuda Indonesia will be instigate a civil action against the man.
Making it clear they view the matter "extremely seriously," Garuda has made it clear that they are refusing carry the passenger on any flight departing Bali and are considering a variety of legal moves against the individual.
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