Drunk passenger makes bomb threat on flight

Philip Mizzi

Dec 27th 2012, 16:38

Another point that comes to mind here (without excusing this person) is that alcohol acts faster when on an airplane. The changes in air pressure inside the sealed airplane, dry conditioned air and tiredness make alcohol to be absorbed in our blood stream quicker. Less water in the blood stream, by dehydration, causes the concentration of alcohol to be higher leading also to quicker intoxication.

Sharon Pace

Dec 27th 2012, 12:00

He should have been fined for the fright given to the passengers and crew. Us Maltese should be very proud of the amazing crew, pilots and staff at Air Malta. I feel safe in their hands, and trust them immensely. It is a pity that this person was allowed to board the plane in his state by the staff at the airport (Munich). He should not have been allowed on board as he was!

James Dewar

Dec 27th 2012, 11:18

How much alcohol was he served in - flight?

Salvinu Buttigieg

Dec 26th 2012, 23:36

Most definitely the guy couldn't be maltese if he was deported , in Malta we want decent good respectable visitors, and no Maltese is going to shout whatever he shouted on our national airline, we Maltese have more sense then alot of foreigners, and if it was a German or a Brit. Booze this time of the year seems to get the better of them, to their disadvantage as they will be kicked out.

Philip Mizzi

Dec 26th 2012, 20:15

The only thing that remains to be done is having this clown sued by Airmalta for causing problems onboard and for whatever expenses Airmalta might have incurred because of his stupid behaviour. However if he is already deported that may be a problem.

Philip Mizzi

Dec 26th 2012, 19:42

What I like in this sentence is that he was deported back to wherever he came from. That will save taxpayers' money to keep this unwanted creature on our island. Sending him back will teach him a lesson because the money he paid for his holiday ticket (and whatever else) served only to get him a quick flight back without consuming his holiday. I am sure he will not do this again on our flights!

John Turner

Dec 26th 2012, 16:50

That was an incredibly light punishment considering the distress he may well have caused others and the considerable expense he could have caused Air Malta.

If this was my airline, I would have banned them from ever flying in my planes again. If I was a judge, they would have had either a custodial sentence and/or a heavy fine.

Noel Grech

Dec 26th 2012, 15:41

I wonder why this passenger's identity and his nationality was not disclosed. Are there any repercussions in doing so? Or is there something more serious to this story? Is there a possibility for Air Malta or Transport Malta to appeal to this sentence, considering the seriousness of the case? In the name of tourists safety, our country's and Air Malta's image someone should react to such sentence.

mario genovese

Dec 26th 2012, 15:11

Unbelievable - anywhere else in the world this passenger would have received what he deserved - a much harsher sentence - ONLY IN MALTA.COM

Marion Storace

Dec 26th 2012, 14:16

@ Anthony Portelli before posting your comments get your facts right please - Dr. Muscat said that Dr. Farrugia is still very RELEVANT - your must have confused Dr. Gonzi's words when he referred to Dr. Debono as IRRELEVANT

Joe Morana

Dec 26th 2012, 13:29

The usual tap on the wrist with a plea to "don't do it again!" How about some community service; in other countries such a crime would land the perpetrator straight in jail. A fitting sentence would be to hand-wash all of Air Malta's fleet!

Mr Michael Adamek

Dec 26th 2012, 12:37

Should have been given a hefty fine and banned from any airline for 10 years. That would have upset him!

Peter Murray

Dec 26th 2012, 12:20

Once more our judicary is brought in to sharp focus(ridicule perhaps) or rather its ineffective and light-touch sentencing.This is a classic case of getting rid of the problem instead of addressing(solving)it.Who exactly established that this man was actually drunk(plastered maybe)!He could have been taking medication(prescribed or otherwise) and whilst not an excuse appearances can be deceptive.

Denis A. Darmanin

Dec 26th 2012, 12:09

What would have happened to him had he done that on an El Al plane or one from the Middle East - Gulf region? I would have locked him up, even if just to spoil his holiday. The sentence was given so light because he was a first time offender under Maltese law, but did anyone bother to check if this guy had a record of making similar threats? Such a sentence is a farce to our legal system!

Charles J. Buttigieg

Dec 26th 2012, 11:59

This man would have been given a life sentence without parole in the USA. Malta hanina,hobza w sardina .

m. borg (slm)

Dec 26th 2012, 11:32

Great sentence, should have been given 10 years as an example.

It is hopeless for the high authorities tell us poor moratls to respect the courts when such sentences are given.

LOUIS JOSEPH BORG

Dec 26th 2012, 11:09

the worse thing a person can do is misconduct on an airline!
it think he got off easy!

Joseph Borg

Dec 26th 2012, 10:25

I hope Air Malta will sue this person for damages!

Joseph Cini

Dec 26th 2012, 09:49

Do that in Australia and this is what you'll get:
http://www.theage.com.au/travel/travel-incidents/qantas-flight-grounded-after-drunk-passenger-allegedly-spits-at-crew-20121218-2bkuj.html
And it wasn't even a bomb threat! The airline will send him the bill of about AUD 120,000

Paul Sammut

Dec 26th 2012, 09:13

No - the accused was handed freedom when he made hell on Christmas Day. What kind of ridiculous sentence is this ? Why not having him transferred to CCF for at least one month ? These judgments leaves much to be desired !

twanny borg

Dec 26th 2012, 08:44

Fliexken tal-alkohol m'ghandhomx jithallew fuq ajruplani ghall-ebda raguni. Huma ta' periklu kbir m'hemmx ghalfejn nispjega kullhadd jaf x'tista' taghmel bih u l-effetti tieghu jekk ikun hemm intenzjonijiet hziena. Is-sigurta ghandha tigi qabel il-qliegh mill-bejgh tieghu. Taf meta jsir xi haga meta issir xi tragedja.

Mr Lawrence Mifsud

Dec 26th 2012, 08:18

If I remember correctly, a Swiss tourist was arrested at the airport when found carrying a single dose of a drug, and was sentenced for six months in jail.

P Caruana

Dec 26th 2012, 07:30

For those pointing fingers at the Air Malta crew, the guy has a leg in a cast, meaning that he might have been under some sort of medication or pain killers. In such case, the effect of alcohol would have kicked in much faster. No way an Air Malta crew would know that.
3 months suspended sentence ? the usual court joke of the week. Imagine the trauma on the passengers - children, parents etc !

Charles Sammut. (NY)

Dec 26th 2012, 06:12

I hope Air Malta will put him on their no fly list if they have one.. What's his name anyway?

Peter Seebohm

Dec 26th 2012, 03:09

This funny? guy will regret his joke till end of his live.

He will see a very hard fine in Germany

And never ever he will get a flight

Peter Murray

Dec 26th 2012, 02:22

Think its all just a misunderstanding -as in all probability he only said the flight ticket cost him a bomb.

James Tyrrell

Dec 26th 2012, 01:52

I don't believe this! A bomb threat on a packed passenger plane and a Maltese judge hands down a suspended sentence!

Anthony Agius

Dec 25th 2012, 22:11

The law is nonsense!

stephen mifsud

Dec 25th 2012, 21:56

I'm in a plane and some one shouts "i got a bomb"and he was set free and barred from malta for a year for a very serious crime ..wow lenient or what!!!

Rich Brad saunders

Dec 25th 2012, 21:44

Silly question really but are we likely to know what nationality the passenger is. Was he Maltese, German or British or what... :-

J Galea

Dec 25th 2012, 21:18

This guy should be made to carry the costs of the operation mounted to deal with the situation. What about fines when effective jail sentences are not being given? Also, how about a 3-day prison sentence, this does not cost much but sure as hell makes people sober up in these type of situations. The courts need to push the limits of sentencing if they are to be taken seriously.

Fabian Borg

Dec 25th 2012, 20:11

Will this serve as a precedent for future cases ?

S.M. Cuschieri

Dec 25th 2012, 19:26

Well done to the AFM platoon commander and platoon who were on duty at the time the incident occurred, for dealing with such a sensitive issue brilliantly!!!!

John Galea

Dec 25th 2012, 19:02

J.Galea
Three month jail term suspended for a year and deported.
For me its like Happy Christmas you can go home free.

Byron Abela

Dec 25th 2012, 18:53

How did the person get drunk in the first instance?
Did Air Malta sell him 4 bottles of wine before refusing to serve him more?
We don't know! So whoever is commenting is wrong.

A Camilleri

Dec 25th 2012, 18:50

Expect others to copycat this guy, Airmalta. Definitely,without any doubt. Nothing to fear to play such hoaxes if No punishment for such outrageous acts is meted out by our courts. Had it been a malfunctioning air conditioner in the court room, the magistrate would surely have sent someone responsible to jail. But not a drunken hoaxer. What a shame. Imagine mothers with kids on the flight.

W. Cassar

Dec 25th 2012, 18:38

I wonder what kind of sentence he would have got in America, surely a harsher one.

anthony sultana

Dec 25th 2012, 18:30

I just don't like this system, if they gave him a hefty fine like 10,000 uros he would learn his lesson, and the government will get the money for the trouble he caused.

Anthony Paul Naudi

Dec 25th 2012, 18:17

Ma nistax nifhem kif dan is-sakranazz thalla jitla fuq l-ajruplan. Sentenza sospiza din dahqa fil-wicc min jaf li kieku il-gudikant kellu lil xi hadd fuq dan l-ajruplan u bil-biza tah xi attakk tal-qalb u baqa tahtu x'kin jghid. Tassew jghidu li il-forka ghall-izvintutar. Dan imissu iddahhal kordin u wara li jkun ghamel xi 4 snin habs jigi deportat u xejn aktar,
A.P.Naudi

Victor Pulis

Dec 25th 2012, 18:14

How much did the search cost me? As a taxpayer I demand that the bill is sent to the him.

twanny borg

Dec 25th 2012, 18:09

Le le u le ghal miljun darba. Imissu hallas tal-ispejjez inkella l-piena tinbidel f'habs. Il-poplu bilfors jitlef il-fiducja jisma dawn is-sentenzi. Kieku l-ispejjez ihalsuhom mill-pagi taghhom ma jimpurtax imma dawn qed jithalsu miz-zghir. Kien hemm kazijiet ohra bhal dawn niftakar taljan li gie immultat talli qal li hemm bomba b'cajta qabel ma tela fuq l-ajruplan. Allura dan ghaliex differenti?

David Cassar

Dec 25th 2012, 18:01

Suspended Sentence...........???? Should have at least been fined 5 times the expenses incurred by Air Malta and the Maltese Government only then released........after paying.

R Axisa

Dec 25th 2012, 17:57

He should be banned from using Air Malta. Surely that is not a joke!

A Mamo

Dec 25th 2012, 17:18

He should be banned for life and sent to jail for at least five years

c scudi

Dec 25th 2012, 17:11

It is customary for Airlines and the courts demand the extra costs involved in such incidents..

J. Camilleri

Dec 25th 2012, 16:46

suspended jail term !!!!!!!!!! kont nitfaw 5 snin habs mela dik cajta!

Matthew Scerri

Dec 25th 2012, 16:45

Try that on American Airlines!

3 month suspend sentence? :)

Dennis Zammit

Dec 25th 2012, 16:44

Wasn't the culprit even fined at least the costs of the hassle such as the AFM searches and court fees?

Joseph Micallef

Dec 25th 2012, 16:43

Crackers should be fired on NYE not before!

Chris Pace

Dec 25th 2012, 16:19

Merry Christmas everyone !!!!!!!!