Attack on Board: Passenger Escorted From a Plane in Nuremberg and Later Assault on a Taxi Driver

Stress before Departure: Incident at Nuremberg Airport

On Saturday evening a quiet waiting lounge at Nuremberg Airport suddenly became a scene of action: a planned flight to Barcelona was delayed because a 37-year-old man became physically aggressive on board. Passengers waiting to depart just after 8 p.m. described raised voices and police entering the aircraft. Well, you don't see that every day.

What exactly happened

Witnesses described that the man tried to take a mobile phone from a 61-year-old fellow passenger, which she wore on a lanyard around her neck. The woman reportedly fell to the ground and the defendant punched her. The pilot alerted the emergency services, who arrived on board shortly after and removed the man from the flight. The takeoff was delayed by about an hour.

Background: According to police, the 37-year-old stated that he feared the phone could transmit frequencies that might endanger the aircraft. The officers described his condition as mentally highly tense.

After removal: no end to the rage

What many did not expect: the man later reappeared near the airport. At around 10:40 p.m., a taxi driver reported having just been punched in the face by a passenger. It turned out to be the same 37-year-old. The police arrested him again, took photos and fingerprints, and had him admitted to a specialized clinic.

In the meantime a doctor had briefly examined the man in the service building; no acute physical complaints were found. Nevertheless his behavior appeared so concerning that authorities ordered inpatient accommodation.

Thoughts on the Scene

For those affected — the elderly woman, the taxi driver and the waiting passengers — the evening was surely uncomfortable. Many said: "Lucky it wasn’t worse." At the airport people now speak of an isolated case; investigations are ongoing. A clear moment that mental crises in air travel must be taken seriously.

The flight to Barcelona could depart later — with a delay and a number of visibly upset passengers.