JACKSONVILLE. Fla. — UPDATED STORY: FBI: No arrests made after flight diverted to Jacksonville
UPDATE 6:30 a.m.- Breeze Airways told Action News Jax that the new flight number is #8717. It is scheduled to leave Jacksonville at 11:30 a.m. and arrive in Providence, Rhode Island at 3:30 p.m.
Original story below:
The FBI is investigating after a flight from Orlando was diverted to Jacksonville on Tuesday from what officials called an “onboard incident.”
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Passengers say a bomb threat diverted the flight -- and canceled it until Wednesday.
Action News Jax Ben Ryan spoke with two passengers on the plane and they said someone talked about a bomb while they were seated. The flight was grounded after being in the air for about 45 minutes.
The FBI is investigating the incident but said they didn’t have reason to think the threat was credible. They wanted to ensure passenger safety.
Read: Southwest says plane damaged after hitting light pole at JIA, same day Delta flight was diverted
Apologies can be heard on video from a handcuffed man who flight passengers said was the reason their plane to Providence made an emergency landing in Jacksonville.
The FBI said the reason for the flight diversion was an “on-board incident.”
Rachel Corrigan, a passenger on the flight, said there was a bomb threat -- saying that it started as some sort of conflict between two people before they boarded and continued just before takeoff.
“The guy said I’ll tell people you have a bomb in your bag and she said I’ll tell them you have weapons on you.”
The incident happened on Breeze Airways flight 717 going to Providence after it left Orlando.
Video from passengers on board showed an up-close angle of a man and woman being taken off the plane in handcuffs.
A second video showed the man being walked out followed by applause.
Passengers said the two were arrested but Action News Jax is working to learn who they are and what charges they will be facing.
“We were sitting without answers, without direction, and now we’re stuck here,” one passenger said. “We can book our own hotel here and get reimbursed and fly out tomorrow.”
Read: Ex-Alaska Airlines pilot accused of trying to cut plane’s engines indicted on endangerment charges
Breeze Airways sent us a statement saying they’re working with local authorities. “Safety is our paramount concern and we will share more information as it becomes available.”
The passengers told me they were given a reimbursement fee to book a hotel for the night, saying they were leaving tomorrow.
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