A Ryanair flight from Malta was delayed for a number of hours today because of several drunken passengers, British media reported.

The web portals said that scores of people, including families with young children, were stuck at Malta International Airport when the flight they were supposed to get on was held up by stag party revellers.

The Scots were supposed to get on a flight which arrived in Malta from Edinburgh earlier in the day.

But they were left in the terminal building for over three hours after police with sniffer dogs stormed the plane from Edinburgh as it sat on the tarmac.

According to the newspaper, the Ryanair crew alerted the authorities to the rowdy behaviour on board and 11 were eventually arrested.

Quoting a Ryanair spokeswoman, the newspaper said the crew requested police assistance upon arrival after a number of passengers became disruptive in-flight.

"The aircraft landed normally and police removed and detained these individuals at Malta Airport. As a result, the return flight departed to Edinburgh with a delay of two hours.

"We sincerely apologise to affected customers, but we will not tolerate unruly or disruptive behaviour at any time and the safety and comfort of our customers, crew and aircraft is our number one priority. This is now a matter for local police.”