An open brawl broke out at Miami International Airport involving a police officer and led to two people being taken into custody.
Video footage captured the chaotic scene Monday after an airport employee had “reported a disturbance stemming from a delayed charter flight,” according to CBS Miami.
The Miami-Dade Police Department reported that officers were called to the airport’s gate H8 at around 6:35 p.m.
“Responding officers then found an unruly passenger had allegedly taken the keys to an airport transport golf cart, refusing to let the employee to leave,” the outlet reported. “Video taken by traveler Mike Majlak captured a large crowd surrounding one of the officers, who had someone in a hold.”
Video showed the officer being surrounded and set upon by a crowd before breaking free. At one point, he was holding what appears to be a weapon and seemed to be radioing for more help.
The Miami-Dade Police Department noted that the officer was not injured in the tussle but charges are pending against the two individuals who were arrested.
“Like airports across the country, MIA is seeing record-high passenger numbers this winter travel season. Unfortunately, that passenger growth has come with a record-high increase nationwide in bad behavior as well, such as the incident this evening at MIA,” Miami International Airport Director and CEO Ralph Cutié said in a statement, according to CBS Miami.
“Disruptive passengers face police arrest, civil penalties up to $37,000, being banned from flying, and potential federal prosecution,” he added. “We have worked so hard to rebound from the pandemic and make traveling safe again, so we can visit our loved ones. Please travel responsibly by getting to the airport extra early, being patient, complying with the federal mask law and airport staff, limiting your alcohol consumption, and notifying police at the first sign of bad behavior by calling 911.”
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, 72 percent of the 5,664 unruly passenger incidents in the U.S. so far this year stem from arguments over the airport and in-flight federal mask mandate, CBS Miami reported.
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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