Passenger arrested for allegedly trying to divert Mexican flight to US

Dec 09, 2024

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Karah Rucker Anchor

By Karah Rucker (Anchor), Roey Hadar (Producer), Harry Fogle (Video Editor)

A passenger on a flight in Mexico allegedly tried — and failed — to divert a flight to the U.S. The airline said the passenger attempted to take over the aircraft by force.

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Mexican aviation authorities confirmed they arrested the passenger after an emergency landing.

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The Volaris flight was heading to Tijuana from Leon when the incident occurred.

The passenger tried to divert the flight, telling crew members that a family member of his had been kidnapped and that he was facing death threats, according to police.

He attempted to enter the cockpit, but the crew restrained him. The pilots made an emergency landing in Guadalajara.

It remains unknown where in the U.S. the suspect was trying to get to. Police have not disclosed whether the suspect was carrying a weapon.

Volaris, a low-cost domestic airline in Mexico, announced all passengers and crew were safe.

After the suspect’s arrest, the flight resumed and arrived safely in Tijuana with no additional incidents reported.

Tags: Airlines, Crime, Mexico, Travel

KARAH RUCKER: A passenger on a flight in Mexico allegedly tried – and failed – to get a flight diverted to the U.S. The airline said the passenger attempted to take over by force, and Mexican aviation authorities said they arrested the passenger after an emergency landing.

The passenger had been on board a Volaris flight from Leon to Tijuana. Authorities said the passenger was trying to divert the flight after telling the crew a family member of his had been kidnapped, and that he was facing a death threat.

After he attempted to enter the cockpit, the crew restrained him and the flight made an emergency landing in Guadalajara.

Neither authorities nor the airline have said where in the U.S. the suspect may have been trying to get to, or said definitively whether or not the suspect was armed.

Volaris, a low-cost domestic airline in Mexico that is the country’s largest by total passengers, said all passengers and crew are safe.

After the arrest and emergency landing, the flight continued and landed safely in Tijuana, with no other incidents reported.

For Straight Arrow News, I’m Karah Rucker.

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