An Italian man, Nicola Cristiano (45), has been convicted of attempted rape and sexual assault for sexually assaulting a fellow passenger on an EasyJet (U2) flight from Naples International Airport (NAP), Italy to Edinburgh Airport (EDI), Scotland on 13 May 2025, according to a report published in BBC. The High Court in Edinburgh found Cristiano guilty after a three-day trial, concluding that he targeted a woman travelling alone, repeatedly ignored her refusals, and attempted to coerce sexual acts upon her during the flight.
In the incident that unfolded mid-air, Cristiano offered the victim wine, exposed himself, and tried to force her to engage in sexual acts. The woman managed to alert the cabin crew, who intervened and detained the accused until law enforcement could arrest him upon landing at Edinburgh Airport. This high-profile aviation crime highlights persistent concerns about passenger safety and legislative protections in international commercial air travel.
Timeline of the 13 May 2025 Incident Aboard easyJet Flight EZY3274
• Boarding and initial contact: Cristiano moved seats to sit beside a female passenger soon after boarding the Naples→Edinburgh flight.
• Offer of wine: He offered wine to the victim who accepted it. After that, Cristiano exposed himself and according to STV, “tried to get her to touch his genitals and perform a sex act on him“. The woman also clearly told Cristiano that she was married.
Here are her words, as quoted in the BBC:
“He was just very persistent. He tried to kiss me on my mouth. I was pulling away. I think at one point I told him my husband was sitting at the front to make him think I had somebody to make him stop but it didn’t make a difference”.
• Alert to cabin crew: The victim was asked by Cristiano to follow him to the lavatory. She asked Cristiano to go first, and after he did, informed the cabin crew about the situation.
• Crew intervention: Cabin staff prevented Cristiano from leaving the lavatory and separated him from the victim.
• Arrest: On landing at Edinburgh Airport, Police Scotland arrested Cristiano.
• Trial and conviction: A jury convicted him of attempted rape and sexual assault at the High Court in Edinburgh.
Detective Chief Inspector Steph Garnett, from Police Scotland’s Public Protection Unit, said that Cristiano would now face the consequences of his actions and expressed hope that the conviction would bring comfort to the victim.
Garnett said Cristiano deliberately approached a woman travelling alone on a flight and sexually assaulted her, but she was able to alert a member of the cabin crew and was moved to another part of the aircraft where she was safe. Garnett also said he hoped the conviction would encourage victims of sexual crime to come forward, adding that Police Scotland thoroughly investigates such reports and has specially trained officers available to provide support.
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