Disruptive Passenger Grounds California-to-Florida Flight at Bush Intercontinental

July 9, 2012

Police say an 86-year-old partially blind man who cannot speak English became unruly onboard a Spirit Airlines flight to Florida, compelling the pilot to divert to Houston.

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Spirit Airlines says Flight 310 from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale landed at George Bush Intercontinental Airport early Sunday due to a “disruptive customer.”

Houston Police spokesman Kese Smith said the man apparently spoke only French and was traveling alone. Smith said he became frightened and swung at other passengers. Police found an interpreter and contacted the man’s son, who flew to Houston and accompanied his father to Florida.

Smith did not provide the man’s name.

Spirit spokeswoman Misty Pinson said the other passengers were assigned to a new flight and that they will be refunded for the inconvenience.

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