A Delta Airlines flight bound for Detroit from Omaha was forced to make an emergency landing in eastern Iowa after a passenger reportedly fought with a flight attendant and tried to open an exit door mid-air, as per the pilot’s communication with air traffic controllers, reported AP.Shortly after 6.00 pm on Thursday, the pilot of SkyWest Airlines Flight 3612 radioed the control tower at Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids, requesting an emergency landing due to the disruptive passenger on board.
“He’s in a fight with our flight attendant right now, trying to open the emergency exit,” the pilot said, according to a recording captured by LiveATC.Delta Connection Flight 3612, operated by SkyWest Airlines, was approximately one-third into its journey from Omaha to Detroit on Thursday when the incident occurred. Passengers and crew attempted to stop the man from opening the door of the flight.The passenger, identified as Mario Nikprelaj by the Cedar Rapids police, was immediately arrested after the flight landed in Iowa airport in Cedar Rapids.He is currently facing charges of disorderly conduct, assault, possession of prescription medication, and first-degree harassment, with additional charges still possible.The flight was able to continue on to Detroit later Thursday night, as per a statement issued by SkyWest Airlines, a Utah-based regional carrier that operates flights for major airlines including United, Delta, American, and Alaska Airlines. “SkyWest has zero tolerance for unruly behaviour as safety for our customers and crew is our top priority,” the airlines said in a statement. Nikprelaj appeared in court on Friday, where a judge set his bond at $10,000, reported CNN.
