Over 20 people from 'disruptive' stag parties headed for Prague thrown off flight

More than 20 people due to fly out from Manchester Airport for a stag party were removed from a plane after reports of "anti-social" behaviour.

Families and holidaymakers were hoping for a relaxing long weekend in Prague, but had to start their journeys faced with drunken and rowdy crowds.

The Jet2 flight had been due to take off at 3.15pm on Friday (14 April), but passengers were delayed by over two hours as armed police were called in to deal with the troublemakers.

One passenger said on Twitter that those removed from the flight were swearing, being disruptive and damaging property.

According to other reports on social media, three people were initially removed and the others followed shortly after once they began to protest their friends' ejection.

The party-goers are believed to be from at least two different stag parties. In a statement, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed that 23 people were removed.

"At 3.45pm, GMP officers at the airport assisted with the removal of a group of passengers from a Jet2 flight en route to Prague," a force spokesman said.

"One was issued with a public order fixed penalty notice. In total, 23 passengers were offloaded."

A Jet2 spokesman said: "Flight LS887 from Manchester to Prague had to return to the parking stand after our crew called for police assistance. We would like to thank Greater Manchester police for their assistance this afternoon and will be fully supporting the investigation, and where required, will prosecute if that is deemed necessary.

"We apologise to all other customers for the inconvenience that this has caused at the start of their bank holiday weekend.

"A family friendly airline we will not let the behaviour of a disruptive few spoil the flight for everyone else."