'Drunk' Airline Passenger Arrested For Allegedly Trying To Punch Female Airport Official

A passenger on board a Ryanair flight was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly. Authorities said that a group of passengers heading to a beach music festival in Croatia on Saturday turned "rowdy" before takeoff from the Manchester Airport in England.

Police were called when trouble erupted, causing a two-hour delay to flight FR9501 to Zadar. Authorities said one of the passengers allegedly tried to punch a female official at the boarding gate, Manchester Evening News reported. The passenger who was arrested was not named.

Other officials intervened and the passenger was told he would not be allowed to fly. The rest of the group was also warned. The drama led to a delay for those heading to Hideout Festival at Zrće beach in Croatia.

An eyewitness said some of the passengers had gone through the gate and then were told to return to the terminal before boarding.

"The gate agents of this flight from Manchester to Zadar (June 29) requested police assistance ahead of take off after a small number of passengers became disruptive, and one passenger was denied boarding," Ryanair said in a statement, according to U.K.'s Mirror Online. "The safety and comfort of our customers, crew and aircraft is our number one priority. The flight departed to Zadar following a short delay."

A spokeswoman for Greater Manchester Police confirmed officers were called to the gate at T3 to arrest a 43-year-old man.

In February, an EasyJet passenger got drunk on a flight from Gibraltar to Manchester and abused the cabin crew as well as his co-passengers. Last month, the man appeared in court and was not given any jail time.

Authorities said that Philip Carolan, 43, was accused of drinking duty-free liquor that he claimed he had bought at the Rock of Gibraltar. Authorities said Carolan was found with four liters of vodka in his possession.