DUBLIN – Setting a precedent in flights, an Irish airline ordered a passenger off a flight on Sunday after he ‘verbally abused’ Muslim passengers.

“Before taking off, a passenger showed abusive behaviour against two other Muslim passengers,” Khalid Wafiq Kamel, a passenger who witnessed the incident on Aer Lingus flight, wrote on the airline’s Facebook page, the Express Tribune reported on Tuesday, October 25.

“The crew reacted promptly to stop him, and the offending passenger was removed from the flight.”

The incident took place on Aer Lingus flight EI0330 from Dublin to Berlin.

Kamel, a Muslim passenger himself, thanked the captain and the crew for taking a positive step to stop Islamophobia.

“I would like to send a special Thank You to Captain O’Shea and the rest of the crew for making my day. As a Muslim, I felt safe and respected being in Ireland and on Aer Lingus,” he wrote.

Kamel’s Facebook post was liked by 15,000 people and prompted positive comments from others.

“I have been here in this beautiful country for 15 years,” said Syed Ahmed.

“I have so much love and respect for the Irish people the way I have been treated fairly in this country regardless of colour, race or religion.”

“Fantastic to read this… everyone should be treated equal and obnoxious people [whatever be their reason] should be shown their place… kudos to Aer Lingus,” another said.

Responding to Kamel’s post, Aer Lingus thanked him and apologized for the incident.

“Thanks for your kind words, Khalid. We’re so sorry to hear that this took place but we’re glad that the crew handled the situation well. We look forward to welcoming you on board a flight again in the near future.”