A HOLIDAY flight was forced to make an emergency landing after a drunken fracas broke out between passengers.

The Thomas Cook flight from Glasgow to Dalaman, Turkey, was diverted to Gatwick Airport shortly after 11am yesterday.

It is understood that "rowdy" passengers caused trouble, forcing the aircraft crew to call the police over the incident.

Officers boarded the flight in Gatwick and arrested a 34-year-old man, who was held in custody on suspicion of being drunk on an aircraft.

It is understood a passenger was asked by the cabin crew to help restrain the man before the plane landed in Gatwick.

Jimmy Costello, 36, from Dundee, had been flying with his daughter, Jemma, 14, for a week's holiday when the confrontation broke out. He helped restrain the man who was eventually taken into police custody.

After landing, Mr Costello phoned his mother, Adrienne Costello, to tell her what had happened. She said: "He was going out to Turkey on holiday for a week with his daughter Jemma when it happened.

"I got a phone call from him at about 12pm saying that he had to restrain a man on the flight because the crew asked him to assist. He said that the man had a fear of flying or something, and had consumed a whole bottle of vodka before getting on the flight.

"He was quite calm when he told me, but was laughing about it all. He said that Jemma had recorded it all on her phone too. Drinking a whole bottle of vodka. I can't see someone being able to do it on a plane, maybe before he boarded, but he was definitely drunk."

One passenger recorded the fight while the plane was grounded on a runway at Gatwick and sent it to his friend to post on social media.

His friend, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "My mate was going away for two weeks on holiday and he sent me a text message saying 'Guess what's happened on my flight?'

"From what he told me, the plane took off from Glasgow and a couple were quite drunk and very rowdy. They must've been drinking before they got on the flight.

"They were so rowdy the plane had to be redirected to Gatwick and the police were called to deal with it.

"It was a man and a woman, and they were just being loud at first, but when the plane landed there were several police officers who boarded the plane.

"The video shows the guy being carried off by the police."

Police were seen waiting on the runway and boarded the flight in order to subdue a man who was arrested and taken into police custody.

He is being held on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly on an aircraft.

A Sussex police spokeswoman said: "At 11.45am on Wednesday police went to a Thomas Cook flight which had just been diverted into Gatwick Airport on a flight from Glasgow to Turkey, and arrested a 34-year-old man who was a passenger, on suspicion of being drunk on an aircraft.

"There are no reports of injuries or damage. The man is currently in custody for interview and further enquiries.

"Two women with the man were not arrested."

A spokesman for Gatwick Airport said: "We can confirm a flight from Glasgow to Dalaman was diverted and landed at Gatwick at 11.15am.

"The incident is being dealt with by police and the flight will continue to its final destination."

A spokesman for Thomas Cook Airlines said: "We have a zero tolerance policy towards any behaviour on-board affecting the safety and welfare of our crew and customers.

"We'd like to thank those on board for the patience during the delay to their flight to Turkey."