The protagonist of the incident was a South American tourist who had spent a holiday in the island’s Gallura region with her two small children, aged two and four.
After the kids refused to put on their seat belts and the member of the Volotea cabin staff tried to insist they should do so, the mother took exception and an argument reportedly broke out, the Sardinian daily reported.
According to an unconfirmed report, the woman threw her phone at the stewardess.
The tourist denied doing so, saying it had fallen from her grasp.
Amid the rumpus, around 20 minutes into the flight, the pilot decided the situation was unacceptable and chose to fly back to Olbia.
Border police officers were waiting and escorted the tourist and her children from the flight.
The woman, who has denied all the charges, now faces fines.
ANSA
