An American Airlines flight out of Charlotte Douglas International Airport to the Bahamas was delayed after a group of student passengers refused to wear masks, the airline said Tuesday.
There were reportedly 30 students ages 17 to 18 as part of a single group on the plane, which was scheduled to depart Monday morning. Multiple witness accounts and airline officials said some students were behaving in an unruly manner and refused to comply with face mask rules.
“It wasn’t all of them. I would say 75% to 80% of them were being terrible kids, saying smart stuff,” said passenger Malik Banks.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requires masks on all flights due to COVID-19 precautions.
MAN WHO ALLEGEDLY APPROACHED COCKPIT AND JUMPED OUT OF PLANE EMERGENCY EXIT FACES FEDERAL CHARGE
“Per procedure, the customers involved were asked to exit the aircraft. We expect our customers to comply with our policies when they choose to fly with us, and we take action when that is not the case,” American Airlines said in a statement.
The airline issued an additional statement noting that the students who were removed from the flight would be allowed to travel again on a Tuesday flight to Nassau after agreeing to comply with the face-covering policy.
Before the flight delay due to passengers refusing to wear masks, the plane had also reportedly been delayed that day for mechanical issues.
There has been an increase in unruly passenger reports as people begin traveling once again following the pandemic. As of June 29, the Federal Aviation Administration received 3,201 unruly passenger reports, with 491 investigations initiated.
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The Washington Examiner contacted American Airlines but did not immediately receive a response.
