Passenger arrested after snowbound plane is diverted from Leeds

A man was arrested at Durham Tees Valley Airport last night when a flight from Spain landed there.

Passengers were kept on the plane for two and a half hours, causing anger in the aisles.

A 39-year-old, from Hartlepool, was arrested on suspicion of using threatening behaviour on an aircraft.

A Durham Police spokesman said: "Apparently passengers were not allowed off because the apron was sheet ice and dangerous.

"The arrested man's concerns were genuine, but his behaviour was unacceptable.

"He was interviewed and given a caution.

"Obviously, the plane was not in the air at the time."

The Thomson Airways flight from Alicante was initially heading for Leeds Bradford, then diverted to Newcastle, but when that closed it landed at Durham Tees Valley.

Passengers grew angry when they were told the plane would still take off when safe and fly on to Newcastle - almost 50 miles further north from its original destination.

Finally, the captain allowed holidaymakers to disembark at Durham - but only after informing police of the trouble.

A Thomson spokeswoman said: "The airline intended to fly customers back to Newcastle Airport, once it had reopened, to ensure passengers could be transferred to Leeds Bradford more quickly.

"However, passengers became disruptive on board the aircraft whist at Durham Tees Valley Airport and, in the interest of safety, the pilot decided to disembark customers at Durham.

"In accordance with the airline's standard procedures, the pilot notified the police of this disruptive behaviour.

"Coach transfers were arranged for customers from Durham Tees Valley Airport to Leeds Bradford.

"Thomson Airways would like to apologise again for any inconvenience caused by these flight diversions which became unavoidable due to the weather conditions currently being experienced in the UK.

"The airline would also like to reassure customers that their safety and well-being is its number one priority."