Jet carrying Celtic fans lands after midair 'riot'

A passenger jet carrying Celtic football fans was diverted today when the pilot sent out a mayday call after a major disturbance on board.

Aviation sources said the crew described the scene on the Boeing 737 as a “riot” and at one point the RAF was alerted and scrambled two helicopters.

The jet with 148 passengers on board and six crew was diverted to Cardiff while on route from Santiago in northern Spain to Glasgow.

Police rushed to Cardiff International Airport as the jet, owned by Gatwick-based holiday airline Astraeus, touched down.

A South Wales Police spokesman said officers had been sent to the airport following reports of public disorder.

A spokesman for the RAF confirmed that two helicopters from the base at Kinloss in Scotland were scrambled shortly after 3pm.

He said: “Our aircraft were scrambled in response to a mayday call from a 737 aircraft.

“It was diverted to Cardiff and is now believed to have landed safely.”

He added that the two helicopters were later stood down.

The Celtic fans were returning home after seeing their team play Celta Vigo in the third round of the UEFA Cup.

A South Wales Police spokesman said: ``We received a report that there was public disorder aboard a plane.

“It landed at Cardiff International Airport. We believe it was diverted and did not intend to land at Cardiff Airport.”

He added: “The incident is at a relatively early stage. We have sent officers to the scene.”

The crew is understood to have reported the disturbance at 3pm and had elected to divert to Cardiff.

Vincent Rey, sales and marketing manager for Cardiff International Airport, said the captain requested permission to land at Cardiff because of a situation on board which involved a flight attendant and “unruly passengers”.

The plane landed in Cardiff at about 3.17pm.

He said: “The police have boarded the aircraft and are taking statements from the attendant involved and the passengers involved. The passengers and police are on board.”

Three ambulances and a rapid response unit were sent to the airport, a Welsh Ambulance Service spokeswoman said.

“They were sent as a precaution. It is not known at this stage if anyone has been injured.” she said.