GERMANY, Nov 30: A holiday trip from Munich to Bangkok took an unexpected turn for numerous passengers aboard a Lufthansa flight when a domestic dispute prompted the pilots to divert the Airbus A380 to New Delhi. The couple's intense altercation led the flight crew to prioritize the safety of all on board, opting to have Indian authorities handle the situation. On November 28, Lufthansa's Airbus A380, a familiar sight at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), made an unscheduled stop around 10:26 due to the heated argument between a 53-year-old man and his wife. Reports from The Indian Express indicate that the man, allegedly inebriated, was heard shouting at his spouse. The situation escalated when he attempted to set her blanket on fire using a lighter. Seeking assistance, the distressed woman alerted the cabin crew about her husband's threatening behavior.

With the severity of the incident, the pilots sought permission from Delhi Air Traffic Control (ATC) to divert the plane. Once on the ground, the couple was promptly de-boarded and handed over to immigration officials and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officers in Delhi. Despite the wife's request to continue her journey to Bangkok, she was denied permission, as reports suggest she was traveling on a different Passenger Name Record (PNR).

The fate of the husband remained uncertain, with conflicting reports on whether he would be handed over to Delhi police or sent back to Germany. Some sources suggest both individuals were eventually sent back to Munich. The Airbus A380, which typically operates as a daily non-stop service between Munich and Frankfurt, completed the remainder of its journey to Bangkok after departing Delhi at 12:26 and landing four hours and 45 minutes later.

Instances of disruptive behavior by passengers on flights have become increasingly common, compelling airlines to make unscheduled diversions, inconveniencing fellow travelers. Such incidents include drunken brawls, assaults, and even attempts to breach the cockpit, highlighting the challenges faced by airlines in maintaining a safe and orderly travel environment.