EasyJet Flight Returns to Lyon After Passenger Attempts to Enter Cockpit

An EasyJet flight bound for Porto, Portugal, was forced to return to Lyon on Friday after a passenger suffering from delirium attempted to enter the cockpit, French police and the airline confirmed Saturday.

According to authorities, the passenger, a 26-year-old Portuguese national, tried to force his way toward the cockpit shortly after takeoff. Other passengers quickly intervened, restraining the man until the aircraft landed safely back at Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport.

EasyJet said in a statement that flight EJU4429 had taken off later than scheduled when the incident occurred. "The flight returned to Lyon shortly after departure due to the behavior of a passenger on board," the airline said. "Police met the aircraft on arrival, removed the passenger, and the flight later continued to Porto."

Police added that the man was placed under medical evaluation after landing. Doctors determined that he had been experiencing severe air sickness and delirium. He was transferred to a French hospital for treatment.

The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of in-flight security across Europe, though officials emphasized that the situation was swiftly contained and no passengers were harmed.