The pilot of the Monarch Airlines flight made an unscheduled stop at the Portuguese island of Porto Santo off the coast of West Africa when the man became abusive after being refused more alcohol, newspapers reported. The flight from Manchester to Tenerife, with more than 200 passengers onboard, finally arrived four hours late following the unscheduled stop.

The unnamed 53-year-old was charged with disruptive behavior after police escorted him from the plane, the Daily Mirror said. In a statement, Monarch said the passenger had become "disruptive and abusive towards staff onboard." "Despite repeated attempts by Monarch staff to calm the individual, the passenger's behavior did not improve and the decision was taken to divert to Porto Santo where the passenger was removed."

Porto Santo, a volcanic island that is just 16 kilometers (10 miles) long and home to around 5,000 people, is connected to the larger island resort of Madeira by a two-hour ferry ride. The Mirror said that the man had flown onto Tenerife via Madeira after spending the night on the island. Local reporter Goncalo Maia told the Mirror the passenger was "short and stocky and looked as if he was under the influence of alcohol." "But he was very peaceful and well-mannered. There was no trouble. I saw him later walking down the main street. He was looking better and seemed to be quite happy."