In Brief: BA Flight Canceled After Man Demands to Deplane For No Apparent Reason

A British Airways flight failed to take off from Kotoka International Airport (ACC) Wednesday after one passenger onboard allegedly demanded to be let off the aircraft.

The pilot of BA 078 was in the process of taxiing the 747-400 when the flyer left his seat and proclaimed he was flying for no reason. The pilot reportedly tried to negotiate with him, saying it will take “forever to get him his luggage,” but the passenger insisted he be allowed to deplane.

Over 200 passengers were stuck on the tarmac for thee hours while the argument played out. At one point, the airline reportedly tried to offer the passenger a bribe — a first-class ticket — but he refused to budge.

“There was totally confusion onboard,” one passenger said of the outburst. “It almost turned into a fight so in an attempt to forestall a near fight with the crew, the pilot gave in and switched off the plane’s engine.”

The flight was ultimately canceled. All passengers were rebooked on a flight the following day and accommodated overnight at nearby hotels. The airline later took to Twitter to apologize:

@Afropulp We're realise this isn't acceptable and we apologise for the inconvenience caused by this. ^Chris

— British Airways (@British_Airways) July 23, 2015

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[Photo: Alan – Tee Jnr Twitter]