Drunk passengers kicked off Jetstar flight at Melbourne Airport

A GROUP of drunk passengers caused chaos on a Jetstar flight to Sydney, delaying it by 80 minutes after they were kicked off for bad behaviour.

Adelaide Airport flights cancelled to Bali, due to volcanic ash cloud. [PIC] Jetstar plane bound for Bali to Adelaide last night was forced to turn back about three hours into the flight pic by Bianca De Marchi - 5.8.15

SIXTEEN passengers were escorted from a Jetstar plane at Melbourne Airport last night following drunk and disorderly behaviour.

The passengers were all travelling together on the JQ522 flight to Sydney.

The budget airline said the flight crew decided to offload “a handful” of intoxicated and disruptive passengers after they boarded the plane about 8pm.

Others travelling with those passengers chose to voluntary disembark, Jetstar said in a statement.

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The Australian Federal Police at Melbourne Airport were contacted.

The incident caused the flight to be delayed an hour and 20 minutes.

A Jetstar spokeswoman said the airline does not tolerate disruptive behaviour; and has security policies in place to ensure all passengers are fit to fly.

“We take safety and security seriously and have strict rules on alcohol use, including the right to deny boarding or offload intoxicated passengers,” she said.

“Unfortunately the actions of this group interrupted the travel plans of other customers.”

Jetstar said the vast majority of its customers take a responsible attitude to alcohol consumption.