TAIPEI— China Airlines (CI) removed an intoxicated passenger from Flight CI73 after he allegedly harassed a female traveler shortly before the aircraft departed for Amsterdam.
The incident occurred at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), where the crew returned the aircraft to the gate and involved aviation police.
The passenger, described as a young foreign traveler, caused a disturbance while the aircraft was taxiing for departure at around 11:10 p.m. on Tuesday.
China Airlines said its crew followed standard procedures by alerting the Aviation Police Bureau after staff identified the passenger as being drunk and behaving inappropriately toward the woman seated beside him.
Passenger Removed From Amsterdam Flight
Flight CI73 was preparing to leave Taiwan for Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) when the crew became aware of the situation. Rather than continue the taxi, the pilot decided to return the aircraft to the gate so the passenger could be removed safely.
The passenger reportedly complied with the crew’s instructions and did not resist when asked to leave the aircraft.
Aviation police then questioned him after he was removed from the flight, while the female passenger involved also spoke with authorities.
According to reports, the woman later decided not to file charges against the passenger. The incident therefore remained focused on the airline’s handling of disruptive passenger behavior and the immediate safety concerns created before departure.
Flight Departure Delayed By Two Hours
The disruption caused Flight CI73 to remain at the airport longer than originally planned. After the passenger was removed and authorities completed their initial response, the aircraft was cleared to continue its journey.
The flight eventually departed at 1:05 a.m. Wednesday, roughly two hours after its scheduled 11:10 p.m. departure. The aircraft then continued toward Amsterdam without further reported incidents.
CI73 is a long-haul service linking Taipei with Amsterdam and is normally operated by China Airlines using an Airbus A350-900.
The route covers thousands of kilometers and typically takes more than 14 hours, making passenger behavior and cabin safety important considerations before departure, Taiwan News reported.
China Airlines Safety Policy Against Disruptive Behavior
China Airlines said it takes inappropriate passenger behavior seriously and maintains safety as its primary guiding principle.
The airline also emphasized a zero-tolerance approach toward irrational or disruptive conduct that could affect passengers, crew members, or flight operations.
The carrier said its crew acted according to established procedures by notifying the Aviation Police Bureau. Police officers were subsequently dispatched to deal with the situation at the airport.
The incident highlights how airlines can intervene before takeoff when a passenger’s behavior raises safety or security concerns.
Returning an aircraft to the gate can cause delays, but it allows the crew and authorities to address disruptive behavior before the aircraft begins a long international flight.
China Airlines thanked passengers for their patience during the disruption and acknowledged the assistance provided by law enforcement.
The flight ultimately continued to Amsterdam after the situation was resolved, with no further incident reported.
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