Airport worker punches passenger in face while holding baby

An airport worker has punched an easyJet passenger who was holding his baby at the terminal following a gruelling 13-hour delay, witnesses have said.

A photo circulating online appears to show the man, believed to be a special assistance provider at Nice Airport, attacking the father in full view of other passengers.

Witness Arabella Ark, who was with her children at the time, told MailOnline of the chaos that unfolded as families waited to board flight EZY2122 from Nice to London Luton.

She said: "Everyone was having the most appalling day and then, all of a sudden, a man holding a baby gets whacked."

"It all kicked off after his [the father's] wife was talking to the man [suspected attacker] because we were getting no information whatsoever about the delay."

An easyJet spokesperson said the airport employee does not work for the airline.

He is believed to work for French company Samsic which is contracted by Nice Airport to provide employees who help disabled passengers, including those in wheelchairs.

The flight was delayed due to a "technical issue with the aircraft", the spokesman said.

They added: "A replacement aircraft was sourced to operate the flight and a replacement crew were sent from London Gatwick."

"We are urgently taking this up with Nice Airport and their special assistance provider Samsic who we understand the person photographed works for."

The spokesperson said passengers were given regular updates and refreshment vouchers but Mrs Ark claimed no one told them why their flight was delayed - nor when they might be able to fly home.

The airline's spokesperson said: "EasyJet is very concerned to see this picture and can confirm the person in the photo is not an easyJet member of staff nor do they work for easyJet's ground handling agents in Nice."

RELATED VIDEO: