A plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Germany after two British women tried to open a cabin door mid-flight, police have said.
A plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Germany after two British women tried to open a cabin door mid-flight, police have said.
The women, aged 26 and 27, were drinking heavily and had to be held in their seats by security staff until the plane landed in Frankfurt.
The women, aged 26 and 27, were drinking heavily and had to be held in their seats by security staff until the plane landed in Frankfurt.
They were arrested and released after two hours, Frankfurt police said.
They were arrested and released after two hours, Frankfurt police said.
The XL Airways plane was flying from the Greek island of Kos to Manchester when Wednesday's incident happened.
The XL Airways plane was flying from the Greek island of Kos to Manchester when Wednesday's incident happened.
Hartmut Scherer, a spokesman for police at Frankfurt International Airport, said the women had become violent with flight attendants because they were refused more alcohol.
Hartmut Scherer, a spokesman for police at Frankfurt International Airport, said the women had become violent with flight attendants because they were refused more alcohol.
The 26-year-old woman is reported to have tried to strike a flight attendant with a vodka bottle after the crew refused to serve the pair any more alcohol.
The 26-year-old woman is reported to have tried to strike a flight attendant with a vodka bottle after the crew refused to serve the pair any more alcohol.
"Both the women drunk a lot of alcohol on the plane and it was a risk because they made some trouble," said Mr Scherer.
"Both the women drunk a lot of alcohol on the plane and it was a risk because they made some trouble," said Mr Scherer.
The incident happened at an altitude of 10,000 metres, Reuters news agency reported.
The incident happened at an altitude of 10,000 metres, Reuters news agency reported.
Two-hour delay
Two-hour delay
Mr Scherer said the captain had thought the best option would be to make an unscheduled stop in Frankfurt and remove the women from the plane.
Mr Scherer said the captain had thought the best option would be to make an unscheduled stop in Frankfurt and remove the women from the plane.
"They wanted to open a door in the plane but that was not possible and someone from the security held them in their seats until the landing," he said.
"They wanted to open a door in the plane but that was not possible and someone from the security held them in their seats until the landing," he said.
The women face charges of grievous bodily harm and violating air traffic regulations, according to Reuters.
The women face charges of grievous bodily harm and violating air traffic regulations, according to Reuters.
The plane later flew on to Manchester after a two-hour delay.
The plane later flew on to Manchester after a two-hour delay.
Meanwhile, the women were questioned by police but released and allowed to return to the UK.
Meanwhile, the women were questioned by police but released and allowed to return to the UK.
German media had reported that the airline would charge the pair for the cost of the diversion.
German media had reported that the airline would charge the pair for the cost of the diversion.
But Mr Scherer said police were deciding whether to press charges, adding that the women could also be fined or forced to pay compensation.
But Mr Scherer said police were deciding whether to press charges, adding that the women could also be fined or forced to pay compensation.
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