Cambuslang man facing air rage charges
An Easyjet flight was forced to return to Glasgow Airport on Hogmanay
A man has appeared in court charged with being so drunk and abusive on a Hogmanay flight that the captain had to return to Glasgow Airport.
James McMahon appeared at Paisley Sheriff Court over his alleged antics on an EasyJet flight to Alicante on December 31.
McMahon, 37, was arrested at Glasgow Airport after the flight returned there.
It had been due to take off at 12.15pm but bad weather in England delayed the departure and it took off at 1.50pm.
But the captain felt he had no option but to return to the airport to have McMahon removed and it eventually took off without him at 3.15pm.
McMahon was held in custody at Greenock Police office for two nights before appearing in the dock.
Defence solicitor Eamonn McGeehan confirmed McMahon was pleading not guilty to the two charges against him - being drunk on the flight and being so abusive it had to be turned around.
He denies being drunk on the flight, in beach of Sections 60 and 61 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982 and Articles 242(1) and 265(7) of The Air Navigation Order 2016.
He also denies "interfering with the performance by a member of the crew of the aircraft" by repeatedly shouting and swearing and refusing "to desist or moderate his behaviour... whereby said aircraft required to return to Glasgow airport."
Prosecutors claim McMahon, of Cambuslang, broke Sections 60 and 61 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982 and Articles 245(c) and 265(7) of The Air Navigation Order 2016.
Sheriff James Spy released McMahon on bail, setting a pre-trial hearing for March.
McMahon, who maintains his innocence, is due to go on trial over the Hogmanay drama in April.