The 787 Dreamliner, operated by the British airline TUI, landed safely at Gatwick Airport in London later on Wednesday.
“This incident involved a foreign-to-foreign flight that diverted due to an in-flight altercation between two passengers,” a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) spokesperson said. “Upon arrival, CBP officers removed both individuals from the aircraft. Although no criminal charges were filed, CBP processed the two subjects for expedited removal.”
Audio recordings of the pilot speaking with air traffic control ahead of the emergency landing show it was a matter of minutes between when the pilot asked to land in Maine and officials on the ground directed them to a runway.
“Cockpit is secure and there’s two passengers fighting and the crew has pretty much gotten them under control,” the pilot said.
After some back-and-forth, the air traffic controller on the ground in Maine tells the pilot security will be waiting on the ground when the plane lands.