Former Estonian Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas was reportedly removed from a flight to Japan at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL) after getting into a verbal argument with cabin crew.
Rõivas was part of the delegation accompanying Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna to an official bilateral meeting in Japan.
According to Estonian media outlet Postimees, the argument occurred during the flight from Tallinn Airport (TLL) to Helsinki on March 10, 2024, and Rõivas was prevented from boarding the connecting flight from Helsinki to Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT).
A photograph that appears to show Rõivas being escorted off the flight by Finnish police ishas been circulated online.
While there are reports that the former PM was heavily intoxicated during the flight, this claim has since been denied by Rõivas, who told Estonian media outlet Elu24 the argument was due to him using a laptop to work during the flight.
“Allegedly, this was the reason why the next flight to Japan was not allowed. I submitted an official complaint to Finnair with a claim for damages,” Rõivas was quoted to have said.
The Estonian delegation proceeded to fly to Japan without Rõivas.
Rõivas served as Prime Minister of Estonia from March 2014 to November 2016. He is currently chairman of Auve Tech, an Estonian company which specializes in autonomous vehicles.