58-Year-Old Man Sentenced for Air Rage Incident on Biman Bangladesh Airlines Flight

Mohammed Koyes, 58, was jailed for four months after consuming a litre of gin and causing chaos on a flight from Bangladesh to Heathrow.

A 58-year-old man has been jailed for four months after causing a disturbance on a flight from Bangladesh to Heathrow Airport. Mohammed Koyes’s drunken behavior, which included shouting obscenities and stumbling into other passengers, led to his immediate sentencing, serving as a deterrent to other air travelers.

The incident, which occurred on October 20, 2026, has reignited discussions about the dangers of air rage and the need for stricter measures to ensure passenger safety. Koyes’s actions, described as terrifying and riskyhighlight the growing concern over intoxicated passengers on commercial flights.

The Incident and Its Aftermath

Koyes purchased a one-litre bottle of gin from a duty-free store and brought it onto a ‘dry’ flight where alcohol was not being served. According to court proceedings, he consumed most of the bottle, becoming increasingly abusive and unruly.

He was observed stumbling around the cabin, swearing, and shouting, ultimately requiring restraint by other passengers.

Recorder Philip Grundy, the presiding judge, emphasized the seriousness of the offensestating that such behavior poses a significant risk to safety. ‘The appearance of a drunken person in the confines of an aircraft is terrifying and poses a risk to safety,’ he noted. Despite Labour’s guidelines suggesting suspended sentences for offenses under 12 months, the judge deemed Koyes’s actions exceptional, warranting an immediate four-month jail term.

The Broader Context of Air Rage

The case comes amid a rise in air rage incidents. In 2019, airlines reported 390 instances of difficulty controlling intoxicated passengers. This number surged to 1,245 in 2026, according to the UK Civil Aviation Authority. The increasing frequency of such incidents has prompted calls for stricter regulations and a national ‘blacklist’ to track problematic passengers.

Michael O’Leary, the CEO of Ryanair, has advocated for banning the traditional early morning airport pint, citing the frequent need to divert flights due to drunken passengers. His comments underscore the broader industry concern about the impact of alcohol on air travel safety.

The Legal Proceedings and Defense

Koyes was charged after the incident but remained unaware of the prosecution until an unrelated call to Cumbria Police flagged a warrant. He pleaded guilty to being drunk on an aircraft during his court appearance in April. Chris Knox, defending Koyes, acknowledged his client’s poor recollection of the events but highlighted his otherwise good character.

Despite the defense’s arguments, Judge Grundy maintained that Koyes’s actions were clear and deliberate. ‘You clearly brought that drink on board and consumed it,’ the judge stated, detailing how Koyes’s behavior caused alarm and distress to fellow passengers. The judge also noted that all attempts to calm Koyes failed, and he had to be restrained, fortunately without requiring the flight to be diverted.

The sentencing of Mohammed Koyes serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of drunken behavior on flights and the importance of maintaining safety and order in the skies.