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Drunk, Fighting Jetstar Passengers Could Face $100,000 Bill

The men were kicked off their Thailand-bound flight yesterday.

Six men kicked off a Jetstar flight bound for Phuket after a mid-air brawl will arrive back in Australia today, and they may be met with more than just their families at the terminal gate.

As reported on Thursday, Jetstar flight JQ27 was forced to divert to Bali after a group of men began fighting during the journey. The men were met by police as the plane landed and were taken off the flight, before the rest of the passengers continued on to Thailand. The six passengers were detained by police and placed on a flight back to Australia, to arrive on Friday morning.

But the loss of a fun holiday was not the only cost the alleged brawlers may have to pay, with the possibility that they may be forced to pay for the expensive re-routing of the flight. As pointed out by News.com.au reports, a clause in Jetstar tickets can compel passengers to pay for flight diversions; the airline's Conditions of Carriage state:

"if we divert the aircraft to an unscheduled destination as a result of your failure to comply with the requirements set out in these Conditions of Carriage or your conduct... you must pay us the reasonable costs of the diversion."

The cost of diverting the plane may run as high as $100,000.

Other passengers on the flight have taken to social media to share information about the incident. A Sydney woman wrote on Facebook "Love it when a fight breaks out over your seat #bitofbloodeverywhere Thank you Jetstar for handling the situation really well considering how bad they were". Another wrote "Blood was everywhere. It was a massive punch up."

Yusfandri Gona, head of Ngurah Rai Airport Authority, said one passengers required a doctor after sustaining bruising to his face.

"They all claim the fight started because they were drunk," Gona said.

"They consumed beers and liquors. That's what they claim; we can't verify their story further as we weren't able to interview the crew or other passengers on the flight."

Nine News reported that one of the men had sent them a statement saying "we apologise and are deeply sorry for the passengers and staff of the Jetstar flight. Thanks to the Bali immigration for making us feel at home."

The men are expected to arrive back in Australia on Friday morning.

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