Two women were removed from a flight from the UK to France after the pilot spotted them writing on the aircraft in felt tip pens.
The pair were due to fly from Southampton to La Rochelle with Flybe last week, but the captain ordered them off the aircraft.
He had allegedly seen them writing on the body of the plane and on other equipment as they boarded, according to the Southern Daily Echo.
Flybe said they have been removed ‘for the protection of passengers and crew’.
The women were questioned by police but were not arrested.
A Flybe spokeswoman told the Southern Daily Echo: "Immediately prior to and during boarding, the captain of the above flight witnessed two passengers writing with felt pens on two items of equipment that included the body of the aircraft.
"In the interest of maintaining safety and security for the protection of its passengers and crew, Flybe has a zero tolerance policy towards any potential criminal behaviour.
“The incidents were therefore reported to the authorities who attended the aircraft and took the perpetrators away for questioning.
“The aircraft then departed on schedule.”
