A 31-year-old man was arrested on Sunday after attempting to redirect a domestic flight in Mexico to the United States, prompting an emergency landing, authorities confirmed.
The incident occurred aboard an Airbus A320 operated by Volaris, which departed León, Guanajuato, at 7:17 a.m. local time, en route to Tijuana. The flight was forced to land at Guadalajara International Airport approximately 45 minutes into its journey after the suspect’s actions alarmed the crew and passengers.
According to a statement from the Secretariat of Security and Civilian Protection, the man assaulted a flight attendant and tried to breach the cockpit, allegedly to divert the aircraft to the United States. Crew members swiftly subdued the suspect and alerted ground control, facilitating the emergency landing in Guadalajara.
Further investigations revealed that the man claimed a close relative had been kidnapped and that he was threatened with harm if he proceeded to Tijuana. This revelation added a layer of complexity to the case, given Guanajuato’s reputation as one of Mexico’s most violence-stricken states due to ongoing cartel-related crimes, including extortion and kidnapping.
Volaris confirmed the incident in a report, stating, “The aggressor informed the crew that his family member had been abducted and that his life was at risk upon landing in Tijuana.”
Authorities commended the quick action of the flight crew in ensuring the safety of all passengers onboard. No injuries were reported during the altercation.
The suspect, who was traveling with family, is now in custody and faces potential charges for endangering an aircraft and its passengers. Meanwhile, investigations continue into his claims of extortion and the alleged kidnapping.
This incident underscores the ongoing security challenges in regions plagued by cartel violence and highlights the importance of stringent safety protocols for air traveli n such areas.
