Police are investigating reports that a passenger tried to breach the cockpit on a Delta Airlines flight. A man has been taken into custody after officers were called to William P. Hobby Airport in Houston following reports someone allegedly attempted to access the flight deck on board a scheduled service to Atlanta.
Houston Police Department said officers were dispatched at around 5.38am local time on Wednesday after receiving reports of a disturbance involving a passenger on the aircraft. Flight records indicate Delta Air Lines Flight 2557 had been due to depart for Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport at 6.21am, with a scheduled arrival time of 10.05am. The aircraft was attended by officers at the gate and later departed more than an hour behind schedule.
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In a statement, Delta Air Lines said the aircraft returned shortly after departure because of a passenger’s behaviour on board.
The airline said: « The safety of our customers and crew is paramount, and Delta has zero tolerance for unruly behavior. We apologise to our customers for this experience and delay in their travels. »
According to the airline, Flight 2557 was operating from William P. Hobby Airport in Houston to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport on February 18.
The Boeing 717 aircraft was carrying 85 passengers and five crew members and returned shortly after take-off after a passenger displayed what it described as « unruly and unlawful behaviour » towards others on board.
Delta said the individual approached crew and other passengers but did not make contact with or attempt to access the flight deck.
The flight declared an emergency and landed safely where it was met by law enforcement before later departing again and arriving around 90 minutes behind schedule.
A spokesperson for the Houston Airport System said the aircraft returned to the airport following the incident.
They said: « At approximately 5:40 AM, a Delta Airlines aircraft returned to HOU for an incident that resulted in a Houston Police Dept. response. »
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