An American Airlines flight was diverted Wednesday night after a passenger allegedly assaulted a flight attendant. The airline did not provide additional details.
American Airlines flight diverted after passenger assaults flight attendant
Flight 976 had departed New York’s John F.
Kennedy International Airport and was bound for John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, but was diverted to Denver because of the incident, the airline said.
Law enforcement detained the passenger at the gate, according to American Airlines.
The airline did not provide additional details or the status of the flight attendant.
“American Airlines will not tolerate acts of violence against our team members,” it said in a written statement. “The person involved in this incident will not be allowed to travel on American Airlines in the future, but we will not be satisfied” until he or she has been prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
This behavior must stop, and aggressive enforcement and prosecution is the best deterrent.”
The passenger’s identity has not been released and details of the charges were not immediately available.
Denver airport police confirmed that the flight was diverted to Denver around 6 p.m.
and said the FBI is investigating.
The flight departed Denver for Orange County around 9:30 p.m., according to American Airlines.
Reports of unruly behavior on planes, including violence against crew members, have increased since the start of the pandemic.
Data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration show that 923 investigations into violations of specific regulations or federal laws have been initiated this year.
