Disruption at Cologne/Bonn Airport: Accusative Troublemakers Force Emergency Landing; Federal Police Stepped in to Prevent Escalation of Violence by Travellers

On August 21, 2025, a passenger flight from Manchester to Larnaca made an unscheduled landing at Cologne/Bonn Airport after a 41-year-old British national displayed violent behaviour towards fellow passengers and crew members.

The incident, which occurred during the flight, has raised concerns about alcohol consumption in air traffic, as lower air pressure and changed oxygen concentrations can intensify the effects of alcohol. The Federal Police were informed about the incident by the German Air Traffic Control.

Upon landing, the woman was arrested by the Federal Police at the aircraft and coordinated with the Cologne police to take her to the station for further processing. The other passengers were taken to the transit area of the airport.

The woman was heavily intoxicated, with a breathalyzer test showing a reading of 1.76 per mille. As a result, she was placed in police custody for sobering up, and the Federal Police Inspectorate Cologne/Bonn decided on entry refusal.

The original aircraft could not take off again due to technical reasons, and the passengers continued their journey to Larnaca with a replacement aircraft. The woman is to be immediately returned to the UK after her release from custody.

The Federal Police urgently appeals to handle alcohol responsibly in air traffic, as aggressive behaviour can severely disrupt the safe course of a flight and endanger other travelers. Further inquiries can be made to the Federal Police Directorate Sankt Augustin Press Office. However, there is no available information in the search results about the head of the Federal Police Directorate Sankt Augustin in 2025.