Passengers On Volaris Flight To Tijuana Thwart Hijacking Attempt After Man Holds Crew Hostage Mid-Air; Video Viral

Mexico: A shocking video has come to light on the internet showing chaos aboard a Tijuana-bound flight on Sunday morning when a man attempted to hijack the plane by holding a flight attendant hostage. The courageous efforts of passengers and crew thwarted the hijacking, ensuring the safety of all onboard.

Video Shows Shocking Hijack Attempt

The suspect, identified as Mario, a 31-year-old father of two, tried to divert the Volaris aircraft to the United States. Video footage shared on social media captured the intense moments near the cockpit, where Mario held a female flight attendant hostage. He demanded the plane be flown to San Diego, claiming he feared for his safety, as reported by NY Post.

The tension escalated when Mario, after briefly surrendering, made a desperate attempt to escape through the aircraft door. Amidst the panic, screams from children and chaos among travellers, a brave elderly passenger played a crucial role in calming the situation.

The elderly man, later praised for his bravery, recounted his efforts to local journalists. Speaking in Spanish, he described how he persuaded Mario to release the flight attendant, appealing to him to think of his wife and children. “Everyone was scared and panicking. He was scared too. I convinced him to let go and give up for the sake of his family,” he said according to the report.

Despite the suspect’s initial surrender, the situation took another dramatic turn when he attempted to flee through the door. However, the elderly passenger and another woman intervened, preventing his escape.

Mario reportedly told authorities that he had received death threats warning him against travelling to Tijuana and claimed a family member had been kidnapped. The Mexican Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC) confirmed his detention upon the plane’s arrival at El Bajio airport in Leon.

Volaris assured passengers and the public that no one was harmed during the ordeal. After Mario was removed from the flight, the plane resumed its journey. The airline has initiated legal proceedings to ensure the suspect faces justice for endangering the passengers and crew.