A pilot was hauled off his plane by police in front of shocked holidaymakers after being accused of assaulting a crew member.
Passengers awaiting an Aegean Airlines plane from Gatwick to Heraklion in Crete were told their 9.10pm flight had been cancelled last night.
One woman told The Sun that passengers looked on in disbelief from a window at boarding gate 24 as the pilot was hauled off his plane by police.
A spokeswoman for Sussex Police confirmed they were investigating a claim of assault.
She said: "Shortly after 9pm on Thursday police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport following an allegation of assault by a member of airline crew.
"The incident is alleged to have occurred on an aircraft, however no passengers were on board at the time.
"A 52-year-old man, of no fixed address, was arrested on suspicion of assault and remains in custody."
It is the second unusual incident to have affected Gatwick travellers going to Heraklion yesterday, after a plane turned back when passengers smelt "cannabis" on board.
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