US airliner turns back mid-flight due to passenger defying COVID-19 mask rule
WASHINGTON: An American Airlines jetliner headed from Miami
to London turned around in mid-flight on Thursday (Jan 20) because a passenger
refused to wear a COVID-19 mask, the airline said.
"American Airlines flight 38 with service from Miami to
London returned to MIA due to a disruptive customer refusing to comply with the
federal mask requirement," the airline said.
Police were waiting when the Boeing 777 carrying 129
passengers and a crew of 14 landed back in Miami.
When the plane landed police escorted that passenger off the
plane without incident, a police official told CNN.
American Airlines said that pending further investigation
this passenger has been placed on a list of people barred from flying with the
airline.
The Federal Aviation Administration said in January 2021 it
would observe a zero-tolerance policy toward people who reject federal rules
mandating mask-wearing on US domestic flights.
This came as flight attendants reported a high number of
incidents of verbal and physical abuse from travelers who refuse to wear a
mask.
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