Flight from Manchester to Rhodes makes emergency landing in Thessaloniki due to unruly passengers

On the evening of Wednesday, September 9, 2026, an aircraft traveling from Manchester to Rhodes was forced to make an emergency landing at Macedonia Airport in Thessaloniki. The diversion was triggered by the aggressive and disruptive behavior of two male passengers, aged 39 and 42, who are British nationals.

The suspects reportedly refused to follow crew instructions, causing significant tension within the cabin. During the flight, staff caught the 42-year-old passenger smoking inside the aircraft restroom, while the 39-year-old was observed illicitly filming members of the flight crew. Despite multiple warnings from the flight personnel and the captain, the individuals continued their disruptive actions, leading to the decision to divert the flight.

Upon landing in Thessaloniki, police officers from the Airport Security Division arrested the two men. The flight subsequently continued its journey to its original destination of Rhodes without further incident. The detainees are currently in police custody and are expected to be brought before a public prosecutor to face charges related to the disruption of order on board the aircraft.