Passenger Attempts to Hijack Mexican Flight to the U.S.
Flight Crew's Quick Actions Prevent Potential Crisis
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A Volaris flight was forcibly diverted Sunday morning after a passenger attempted to forcibly divert the plane to the United States. The incident took place on Volaris Flight 3041, a domestic route from León to Tijuana, Mexico. The passenger, identified as 31-year-old Mario “N,” attacked a flight attendant and attempted to breach the cockpit, forcing the flight crew to activate emergency procedures.
The attempted hijacking occurred on a flight between León (BJX) and Tijuana (TIJ)
The flight crew followed established safety protocols and diverted the aircraft to Guadalajara, where it landed safely. The passenger was immediately detained by the Mexican National Guard upon arrival. There were no injuries to passengers or crew members during the incident.
According to Volaris, the assailant claimed that a close relative had been kidnapped and that he had received a threatening message upon departure, which led him to try and force the plane to change course. The incident highlights the unpredictable challenges flight crews sometimes face and the importance of swift, coordinated actions to ensure the safety of everyone on board.
Volaris CEO Enrique Beltranena praised the professionalism of the crew, saying, "Thanks to their rapid response, the flight was diverted to safety, and we avoided a much worse scenario. I’d like to thank them for their bravery in protecting all passengers and staff."
The airline emphasized that the safety of everyone on board remained a top priority and that they would cooperate fully with authorities during the ongoing investigation.
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