A passenger aboard Volaris Flight 3041 attempted to forcibly redirect the aircraft to the United States on Sunday, sparking an emergency situation that ended with the plane landing in Guadalajara, Mexico. The Airbus A320, which had departed from El Bajío International Airport in León, Guanajuato, was en route to Tijuana when the incident occurred. The attempted hijacking has raised questions about aviation security and highlighted the ongoing challenges of ensuring passenger safety amid rising violence in parts of Mexico.
Hijacking Attempt Thwarted by Crew
According to Volaris, the passenger used physical force in an attempt to alter the flight’s destination. Reports indicate that the man assaulted a flight attendant, holding her at knifepoint with a pen. Witnesses stated that the attacker grabbed the door handle and threatened to open it mid-flight, claiming he would jump to his death and take the flight attendant with him.
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Quick thinking by passengers and crew members prevented the situation from escalating further. The airline confirmed that the crew followed established safety procedures, subduing the attacker and issuing an emergency alert to redirect the flight to Guadalajara.
Upon landing, the man, identified only as “Mario,” was handed over to local authorities. Volaris commended its crew for their decisive action and emphasized its priority of passenger safety.
Alleged Motive Behind the Attack
Initial reports from the flight operator suggested that the attacker acted under duress, claiming a close relative had been kidnapped. The man reportedly received threats that his loved one would be killed if he proceeded to Tijuana. While these claims are under investigation, they point to the pervasive issues of extortion and kidnapping in Guanajuato, a region plagued by cartel-related violence. Authorities have not disclosed additional details about the suspect’s motives or the alleged kidnapping.
Emergency Landing and Continuation
The Airbus A320 made an emergency landing at Guadalajara International Airport at approximately 8 a.m. local time, less than an hour after taking off. Passengers were temporarily grounded while the suspect was removed from the aircraft and handed over to law enforcement.
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Once the situation was resolved, the flight resumed its journey to Tijuana, and all passengers reached their destination safely. Volaris apologized for the disruption and reiterated its commitment to passenger safety.