Flight to Turkey makes emergency landing due to fight

A plane headed to a holiday hotspot in Turkey had to make an emergency landing after a British man allegedly punched a another passenger.

The flight from Manchester Airport was on its way to Antalya when the pilot made the decision to make an impromptu stop in Thessaloniki, Greece, on September 1.

According to reports, a 35-year-old British man is alleged to have punched a 41-year-old Turkish passenger during the flight.

It is not known how the incident began, but the captain made an emergency landing at the Thessaloniki Airport at about 11pm local time, according to local media.

The British passenger was arrested following the emergency landing. The victim was examined by a doctor at the airport before he continued onward to Antalya.

The British passenger was due to appear before a prosecutor and faced the possibility of being charged with dangerous interference with transportation, bodily harm, disobedience and disturbing the peace.

He was convicted at a Thessaloniki court over the alleged assault and was handed a 15-month prison sentence. But he was allowed to "buy off" his sentence at a rate of €10 per day.

They would be expected to pay an estimated €4,570 to cover the 15-month sentence. He was reportedly found guilty of dangerous bodily harm and disturbing the peace on the flight but was acquitted of the charge of disobedience.

The sentence was suspended pending an appeal and he was released.