A Volaris flight from León (BJX) to Tijuana (TIJ) was forced to make an emergency landing at Guadalajara International Airport (GDL) on December 8, 2024, after a passenger attempted to hijack the aircraft mid-flight. The suspect, identified as a 31-year-old Mexican national, assaulted a flight attendant and tried to storm the cockpit, demanding the plane be diverted to the United States.
Incident Details
Flight Information: Volaris Flight 3041, operating a domestic route from El Bajío International Airport in León (BJX) to Tijuana International Airport (TIJ).
Suspect: A 31-year-old male passenger identified as Mario “N”, who was traveling with his wife and two children.
Shortly after takeoff, the suspect became aggressive, physically attacking a flight attendant and attempting to break into the cockpit. The man claimed he needed to divert the flight to the United States due to threats against his family.
Crew Response and Emergency Landing
The flight crew acted swiftly to restrain the suspect, following established security protocols. The captain declared an emergency and diverted the aircraft to Guadalajara (GDL), where it landed safely. Authorities, including the Guardia Nacional, were waiting on the ground and promptly arrested the suspect.
Passenger and Crew Safety
All passengers and crew members were unharmed during the incident. The flight resumed its journey to Tijuana after the suspect was removed, and no further issues were reported.
Motive Behind the Hijacking Attempt
The suspect reportedly claimed that his family had been threatened and that someone was kidnapped, prompting his demand to divert the flight to the United States. Authorities are investigating the validity of his claims.
Volaris has confirmed it will pursue legal action against the suspect to ensure he faces the appropriate consequences for endangering the safety of the flight. The airline commended the professionalism and quick response of the crew, emphasizing their commitment to passenger safety.
Bottom Line
This incident highlights the importance of rigorous security protocols and well-trained airline crews in handling inflight threats. The swift resolution ensured the safety of everyone on board and minimized disruption to the flight schedule.
