Devlin says cabin staff 'overreacted'

Radio announcer and TV presenter Martin Devlin was escorted from a Jetstar plane by police earlier today. Photo / Dean Purcell

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Broadcaster Martin Devlin says cabin crew overreacted in removing him from a Jetstar flight today for alleged unruly behaviour.

The Radio Live host was pulled from the plane by police in Wellington this afternoon after the captain called for help.

The flight was due to arrive in Auckland at 9.25am but heavy fog meant the plane had to return to Wellington, a Jetstar spokeswoman said.

"We were expecting the fog to clear but unfortunately that didn't happen so we had to go back to Wellington," she said.

Devlin, 46, said he had only commented about the flight delay and asked if the Jetstar plane had equipment to fly in foggy conditions.

"Nothing happened. I was one of many passengers who wanted to know what was going on. We had been up in the air for hours. The stewardess over-reacted," he told TVNZ.

He said that after speaking to the stewardess he returned to his seat and police arrived and asked him to leave the plane, which he did voluntarily.

But witnesses on the flight said Devlin was "making a scene" and being abusive toward the crew after the flight was delayed.

A Wellington Airport spokesman confirmed Devlin was pulled off the flight: "It is between us and Mr Devlin but he hasn't been charged with any offence."

Last year Devlin was arrested for disorderly conduct in Auckland after he sat on the family car near the ferry terminal. He received diversion and said he had "behaved like a right plum".

- NZPA