No explosives were discovered on the passenger, Turkish Airlines manager Temel Kotil told NTV television. The plane has safely landed in St. Petersburg, the Turkish transportation ministry said.

'He was so drunk, he gave a note to a stewardess claiming to have explosives on him,' Mr Kotil said.

Mr Fuat Akin, deputy undersecretary of the Transportation Ministry, said passengers overpowered the assailant.

The plane was flying from Turkey's Mediterranean resort city of Antalya, a popular destination for Russian tourists. -- AP