Three women have been arrested at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport after assaulting Spirit Airlines staff, according to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office.
The Washington Post reported that the incident allegedly occurred in response to a delayed flight, when three guests became combative and were arrested for physically assaulting Spirit Airlines’ staff.
Travel Weekly has contacted Spirit Airlines for comment, but has not yet received a reply. However, in a statement to The Washington Post, the airline said its “team members sustained minor injuries”.
The three women were charged with battery, with one receiving an additional charge for allegedly taking the mobile phone of a Spirit Airlines employee.
A viral video, shared by WPLG Local 10, captured the incident at the gate for Flight 1004 from Fort Lauderdale to Philadelphia.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office arrest report said the women punched and kicked airline staff and “intentionally struck the victims against their will with miscellaneous items” including phones, shoes, fast food, metal boarding signs and water bottles, as reported by The Washington Post.
According to data from FlightAware, the Philadelphia-bound flight was one hour and 19 minutes late and departed at 10:36pm local time.
The three women, who were released on bond Wednesday, told WPLG Local 10 they were heading home to Philadelphia, but declined to share more details.
“This violent behaviour is completely unacceptable and has absolutely no place in airports or any other place of business,” Spirit said in a statement.
Featured image source: YouTube/WPLG Local 10
