An EasyJet passenger has been accused of attacking a crew member after touching down in Spain before fleeing the terminal, leaving colleagues "stunned".
As the plane doors opened on the flight, which left from Gatwick Airport, the man struck the airline worker.
The cabin crew member was unable to work the return left after sustaining shoulder injuries.
It sparked travel chaos with the airline left without enough staff members.
Several passengers were unable to board Flight EZY8110 from Alicante to London as a result of the injury.
The individual who attacked the worker is still on the run from police.
Airline bosses were forced to find passengers who would volunteer missing the flight back to the UK.
Jon Lockett, 57, from Bromley, said passengers "were unhappy with the initial lack of information", adding: "We were left stranded in a hot gangway for 90 minutes."
GETTY | Passengers were left waiting for information for 90 minutes
"We knew something was going on as there were frantic calls on the ground crew's walkie talkies," Lockett, who was on the flight into Spain, said.
"Then the crew told us what had happened and everyone calmed down and were very understanding."
One passenger on the returning flight said it was delayed for two hours.
"The attacker from the incoming flight had sprinted off the plane and gone into hiding in the airport," he said.
GETTY IMAGES | Several passengers returning back to London from Alicante volunteered to take an alternative flight
"When we finally boarded, the pilot explained to us why we'd been delayed."
The passenger said the airline managed to get 15 volunteers to take a separate flight where they were offered hotel accommodation "if they couldn't go that day".
An aviation source told The Sun said: "If the attack had happened during the flight, pilots would call ahead to have police ready to meet the aircraft.
"But it all happened after touching down and the passenger ran for it before stunned colleagues could do anything."
An EasyJet spokesman refused to give any information about what might have prompted the attack.
However, the spokesman also said "due to a passenger behaving disruptively on board the previous flight, a cabin crew member was unable to operate flight EZY8110".
"We absolutely do not tolerate violent behaviour onboard and are supporting the crew member who was subject to this unacceptable behaviour," the spokesman continued.
"In line with operating procedures, this meant the flight capacity had to be reduced and so we sought volunteers not to travel who we rebooked on alternative flights and provided hotel accommodation and compensation in line with regulations."
The airline noted it was out of its control, but apologised to passengers while thanking them for their understanding.
It is not understood whether an arrest had been made in relation to the attack.
More From GB News