MEXICO CITY — A passenger on a domestic flight in Mexico attempted to hijack the aircraft, claiming he was coerced by criminals threatening the safety of a family member. Authorities reported the incident on Sunday evening, stating that National Guard officers apprehended the individual in Guadalajara, the destination to which the flight was redirected following the disruption.
Footage shared on social media captured fellow passengers tackling the man aboard a Volaris airline flight, which was en route from Leon in Guanajuato state to Tijuana, a border city. According to statements from airline staff, the passenger had revealed that a close relative had been abducted and that he received threats regarding his safety if he continued traveling to Tijuana.
The region of Guanajuato has been plagued by violent confrontations among rival drug cartels and reportedly holds the highest homicide rates in the country. In a troubling turn of events, the federal Attorney General’s office reported that the suspect attempted to gain entry to the cockpit in a bid to compel the pilots to land in the United States.
After being taken into custody by the National Guard, the suspect reportedly reached for an officer’s firearm, resulting in a vehicle crash during his transport that injured both him and the officers. He is currently receiving medical care for his injuries.
In videos from the scene, the man can be seen making a move towards the aircraft’s exit door, possibly trying to open it while in mid-air. Fortunately, other passengers were able to subdue him before he could escalate the situation any further.
Authorities have only identified the individual by his first name, stating that he is 31 years old, and confirmed that the other passengers continued their journey to Tijuana without further incident. The Attorney General’s office indicated that the man would face several charges, including making threats and attempting to undermine transportation security.
Volaris airlines issued a statement on social media, confirming that their crew successfully detained the suspect and assured that all passengers aboard were safe. The airline declared its intention to pursue legal action against the man to ensure he is held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
In Mexico, attempts to hijack or divert airplanes are extremely uncommon. The last notable case occurred in 2009 when a Bolivian religious extremist briefly seized control of a jetliner coming from Cancun as it was landing in Mexico City, but all those aboard were released unharmed.