Avianca bans influencer after stink bomb incident on plane to Spain
March 31, 2026
Colombian flagship airline Avianca is taking action against influencer Yeferson Cossio after he allegedly deployed a foul-smelling chemical “stink bomb” during a transatlantic flight, an act the airline says put passengers and crew at risk.
The incident occurred on March 11 aboard flight AV46 from Bogotá to Madrid. According to Colombian newspaper El Tiempo, Cossio triggered a device that released a strong chemical odor inside the aircraft cabin while the flight was en route over the Atlantic Ocean.
Avianca said the action disrupted the onboard environment and forced the airline to take measures to discourage such unruly passenger behaviour.
Airline terminates return travel and pursues legal action
In a statement released after the incident, Avianca said it had terminated the influencer’s contract of carriage and canceled his return flight. The airline also indicated it plans to pursue legal action against Cossio.
“Avianca informs that, as a consequence of disruptive behavior by a well-known influencer on board flight AV46 on the Bogotá–Madrid route on March 11, the airline decided to terminate his contract of carriage and consequently cancel the return journey. The airline will also pursue the corresponding legal actions,” the airline stated in an official statement, published by El Tiempo in full.
Concerns over safety in a closed aircraft cabin
“The decision was adopted based on provisions in sections a), d) and h) of clause 8.6 of the Contract, after behavior that affected the safety, comfort, order and discipline on board, as well as the sanitary conditions of the flight, following the use of a device that generated a chemical odor inside the cabin,” Avianca stated.
Releasing chemical odors during a long-haul flight can create concern among passengers and crew and complicate safety responses. The airline also noted that the incident occurred at a point from which the aircraft was unable to divert.
“The aircraft is a closed and pressurized environment where air is recirculated throughout the cabin, and the aircraft was flying over the Atlantic Ocean, still far from the nearest airport in case of an emergency.”
Avianca calls for stronger penalties for disruptive passengers
The airline also used the incident to reiterate its call for stronger legislation addressing unruly passengers.
“Avianca categorically rejects any behavior that puts the safety of its operation at risk or compromises the onboard experience of customers and service personnel,” the airline stated.
The company urged Colombian authorities and lawmakers to continue advancing Bill 153 of 2025, which seeks to increase penalties for disruptive passengers and strengthen protections for aviation personnel.
Influencer disputes details of the incident on YouTube
Yeferson Cossio has offered a different account of the events on his YouTube channel, suggesting the situation had been exaggerated.
The influencer claims the stink bomb was released accidentally and wasn’t part of an onboard prank.
“I had a little bag of ‘chemical fart’ in my carry-on bag,” he explains. “That’s my job: I make pranks.”
According to Cossio, the device was accidentally activated when he tried to take out a pencil case with personal items from his carry-on luggage.
“What happened on the plane was not a prank, because that’s not something I do there. It was just an accident,” Cossio said. The Colombian influencer added, “I’m not trying to play the victim. With or without intention, I made a mistake. The little bag burst, that’s it. I’m only saying it’s not as serious as they’re making it out to be.”
Cossio also describes a tense encounter with a flight attendant, after arriving in Spain, who he claims approached him shouting in front of the other passengers. “I stayed calm, apologized, and took responsibility,” Cossio said.
Not the first stink bomb on a plane, but hopefully the last
Unfortunately, Cossio is not the first passenger who set off a stink bomb on an aircraft. A similar incident occurred in 1995 on a USAir Boeing 747 flight from Orlando to New York, which forced an emergency landing in Philadelphia.
Another stink bomb incident occurred on a Virgin Australia flight from Hobart to Melbourne in 2006.
Though the FBI and Australian Police investigated both incidents, neither of the previous passengers involved ultimately faced charges. However, the release of chemicals inside the aircraft is a serious concern for aviation safety.
Airline policies aimed at preventing disruptive passenger behavior are tightening with several airlines pursuing suits against passengers responsible and banning some passengers for life. The latest stink bomb could be the last if Avianca wins its legal claim.
Airlines globally have reported rising cases of disruptive passenger incidents in recent years, ranging from verbal abuse to safety-related disturbances. Aviation regulators typically allow carriers to deny future travel and pursue legal action when passenger conduct interferes with flight safety.
The Cossio stink bomb shows that disruptive actions (even if unintended) can have serious consequences inside an aircraft cabin.
Featured Image: Thiago Trevisan | stock.adobe.com
