A group of passengers were allegedly involved in a mass brawl on board a flight from Tenerife to Liverpool, forcing the plane to return to the airport in Spain09:05, 22 Jul 2026Updated 10:51, 23 Jul 2026An easyJet flight bound for the UK has been forced to turn back to Tenerife after reports of a mass fight on board.‌Spanish air traffic controllers said overnight 'around 10 passengers' had been involved in the fracas on board the plane heading for Liverpool.‌The incident happened on easyJet flight EZY3352, which flight trackers show left Tenerife South Airport just before 8pm local time yesterday and returned to the same airport at 9.05pm.‌Police have confirmed that those passengers involved were British with eight people removed from the plane - but no arrests have been made.The statement from air traffic controllers read: “The crew of the flight from Tenerife South to Liverpool informed us, after about 30 minutes in the air, that they needed to return to the airport and requested a police presence upon arrival.Were you on the flight? Email webnews@mirror.co.uk‌Content cannot be displayed without consent“A group of around 10 passengers had started a fight on board, and the captain decided to turn back because of the danger this posed to the safety of the flight. We expedited their return as much as possible while coordinating with the airport to ensure a police presence.“They landed and vacated runway 07 without incident. Our full support goes to the crews and passengers who are having to endure these situations more and more often.”‌One Spaniard responding to the news said on social media: “I'm amazed by the number of flights departing from or arriving in the UK that experience security problems like this. What a disgrace.”An easyJet spokesman confirmed: “Flight EZY3352 from Tenerife to Liverpool yesterday returned to the airport and was met by police due to a group of passengers behaving disruptively. The flight then continued onto its final destination.“Our cabin and ground crew are trained to assess all situations and to act quickly and appropriately to ensure that the safety of the flight and other customers is not compromised at any time.‌“We take these incidents very seriously and do not tolerate disruptive behaviour towards our staff. The safety and wellbeing of customers and crew is always our highest priority.”A spokesperson for the Civil Guard said: “Eight people were removed from the plane who had been travelling together, two adults and six minors.“What appears to have happened is that a heated discussion started in the airport terminal between two families before they boarded the plane and those problems obviously continued on the plane which is why it turned back.‌"We’re not aware of any physical fighting on board. No arrests took place but all eight people taken off the plane have been identified. All eight are British nationals.” Police were not able to say today what had caused the problems between the two families.Standard procedure in Spain involving air incidents unless officers witness a crime being committed usually revolves around a formal identification of the person signalled as the cause of problems and taken off a plane so they can be handed a fine.The Spanish Air Safety and Security Agency (AESA) is the state body that ensures civil aviation standards are observed in all aeronautical activity in Spain.‌It has powers to fine offenders for breaches of a Spanish air safety law, with fines for the standard type of breach ranging from around £50 to nearly £40,000. They can also be hit with the cost of any diversion, and face a flying ban with the airline.Meanwhile, a flight from London Gatwick to Ibiza turned around just moments after take-off for a ‘general emergency’ this morning.Wednesday’s 5:35am easyJet flight to the Spanish island returned and landed safely back at London Gatwick, according to Flight Radar 24. It is thought the plane transmitted a ‘general emergency’ code ahead of returning to its original airport. Eyewitnesses said on social media that 'lots of fire trucks' were in attendance at the airport.Article continues below“EasyJet Flight EZY52LD turns back toward London Gatwick Airport in UK after transmitting code 7700, indicating general emergency, shortly after takeoff,” Flight Radar 24 said.A spokesperson for easyJet said the plane, an Airbus A320-214, suffered a 'technical issue'. A statement from the company explained: “Flight EZY8099 from London Gatwick to Ibiza this morning diverted back to London Gatwick where it requested a priority landing due to a technical issue."The captain performed a routine landing in line with procedures, and the aircraft was met by emergency services at London Gatwick as a precaution only. The safety of our customers and crew is easyJet's highest priority and easyJet operates its fleet of aircraft in strict compliance with all manufacturers’ guidelines."