Image source: Wikipedia
Guadalajara, December 8, 2024: A Volaris flight from Guanajuato to Tijuana turned into chaos after a 31-year-old man, Mario N, attempted to hijack the plane mid-flight. Mario tried to get into the cockpit, claiming threats to his family, in order to divert the flight to the United States.
The Timeline of Events
About an hour into the flight, Mario began yelling and held a pen to a flight attendant’s neck. Reports indicate that Mario claimed a close relative had been kidnapped and that he had received a death threat just before boarding. When the mayhem broke out in the early hours of the flight, most passengers were asleep. One passenger reported hearing frantic shouts like “open your eyes, open your eyes… they’re gonna kill us.”
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Flight attendants and passengers promptly interfered, restraining Mario and seating him at the front of the plane. The pilots rerouted the plane to Guadalajara, where Mario attempted to flee by running for an open door upon landing. Furthermore flight attendants and National Guard members intervened resulting in his arrest. Fortunately, no passengers or staff were injured during the fight.
Passenger and Crew Accounts
Despite the swiftness of the situation, the crew and passengers coordinated to guarantee safety. Witnesses recalled their tremendous terror as they attempted to make sense of the scene unfolding in mid-air.
Volaris Airlines issued the following statement via X:
“The crew managed to detain him, and all those aboard the flight were safe. Volaris has become a plaintiff to ensure the passenger faces the full weight of the law.”
Authorities have stressed the efficiency of their response and announced an ongoing investigation into Mario’s motives. Baja California’s governor praised the swift, coordinated actions of all involved, while Tijuana’s mayor reassured the public, stating that the hijacking was an isolated incident.
Broader Implications for Aviation Security
Despite being very uncommon, events like this underscore the significance of thorough in-flight crew training, efficient passenger screening, and sophisticated behavioral monitoring. The importance of law enforcement, airline employees, and travelers working together to ensure aviation safety is brought home by this incident. Their participation played a crucial role in preventing what could have been an awful disaster.
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