Overview
- Avianca said it canceled the passenger’s return trip and will pursue legal remedies after a prank that released a chemical odor on a Bogotá–Madrid flight.
- The airline reported that a device was activated over the Atlantic and that the odor upset nearby passengers in a closed, pressurized cabin with recirculated air.
- Avianca described the conduct as disruptive to safety, order, and sanitation on board, and said crew members intervened under internal protocols.
- The company did not name the person, though local outlets identified influencer Yeferson Cossio, who posted a video showing a phone‑controlled device and later said he did not regret the stunt.
- The carrier urged Colombia’s Congress to advance a bill that would raise fines, allow temporary exclusion from air service, and make offenders pay costs tied to incidents such as diversions or compensation.