An early morning flight to Catania hastily turned back to Malta after a passenger refused to wear a mask on board, according to reports.

Freya Angeolova Moutafova, a 24-year-old Italian national resident in Bulgaria reportedly boarded her 6am Air Malta flight to Catania from MIA, but just after takeoff an argument ensued with a crew member who insisted with Ms Mountafova on wearing her face mask during the flight.

The passenger stubbornly refused, according to reports, even after being informed of the risk she posed to other passengers on the flight. This prompted the captain to turn the plane around, landing back in Malta and immediately alerting the police.

The reluctant traveller was then escorted to court under arrest, later admitting to disobeying the crew member’s instructions. Ms Mountafova landed herself a 6-month jail term suspended for two years, a conviction and a stern warning from the court that pointed out such irresponsible behaviour put herself and others at risk.