FBI investigating midair brawl that forced Breeze Airways flight to divert
Breeze flight MX704, which was headed from Norfolk International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport, diverted to Grand Junction Regional Airport in Colorado after a passenger onboard "initiated a physical altercation with other guests and flight attendants," the airline told Fox News Digital.
Grand Junction Police Department officials told Fox News Digital that an intoxicated male passenger "became agitated," and started "yelling racist slurs at airline staff while waving a skateboard."
Airline staff placed the man in restraints twice, but he was able to break free both times, police said.
While the airline told Fox News Digital one flight attendant and one guest were evaluated for minor injuries, police said no injuries were reported to law enforcement.
When the plane landed, the passenger was taken into custody by the Grand Junction Police Department at the direction of the FBI and remains at the Mesa County Detention Facility.
"This is an ongoing investigation and any further information and charges will be released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation," the department wrote in a statement.
Breeze Airways is a U.S.-based low-cost airline that was launched in May 2021 by JetBlue founder David Neeleman.
The carrier offers nonstop flights to about 70 locations, including smaller airports that would normally require layovers.
"Our focus now is on taking care of our Crew and remaining Guests who have been unfairly inconvenienced by this unfortunate event and getting them safely to their final destination as quickly as possible," the airline wrote in a statement.
Breeze offers four different fare options that the company said "reflect our commitment to kindness," including "No Flex," "Nice," "Nicer" and "Nicest."
Certain flights start at less than $40 per ticket.
FBI Denver did not immediately respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital.
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