BA Jet U-turns after being banned entry to US airspace, doubts over passenger.

[jaffa]

I just found this interesting and intriuging news story on NineMsn.

From what l can gather a USA national caused a BA flight (Lon-Mexico) to be turned around and sent back.

The Sun newspaper cited a security source as saying: "This is the first time anyone can recall a British flight being banned from US airspace. It shows how nervous the Americans are when it comes to us.

It seems the US refused entry to the flight into their airspace due to the individual being onboard.

Jet U-turns after doubts over passenger

What l find interesting is that the person was a USA national. Yet they still were somehow "banned" from re-entering their home country.

 

[samh004]

So the US has priority over banning individuals flying to Mexico or Canada? I realise the plane could fly over the US, but it could also fly around it.

And of course, why wasn’t the plane denied entry before it left LHR. Lots of questions to be answered I’m sure.

 

[Blackadder]

Why was the pax allowed to board if the US had concerns over him?

 

[Cyclogenesis]

Boy! wouldn't you be ticked off if you were on that flight! I wonder what the captain said? He could not have stated the true reason as that would raise security issues!

 

[anat0l]

I wonder how far they were over the Atlantic before they had to turn back? That would have been bitterly annoying for the passengers for sure; even dumber if they just told the person to leave and let him go free.

Question really is who is to blame this time for this waste of time.........

 

[medhead]

Stupid, stupid, stupid americans!

Lets hope they don't turn around pauline hanson's plane to the UK. if ever there was a walking "data discrepancy" it's pauline.

Other than that I cna only say "Please explain"

 

[Mal]

Stupid, stupid, stupid americans!

Yeah, the reaction is a little over the top, and their paranoia does seem to be extensive.

 

[straitman]

So the US has priority over banning individuals flying to Mexico or Canada? I realise the plane could fly over the US, but it could also fly around it.

One departed if they were then told about the diversion it is probable they would not have sufficient fuel to skirt around the US.

And of course, why wasn’t the plane denied entry before it left LHR. Lots of questions to be answered I’m sure.

A very pertinent question.

 

[jaffa]

I have found a couple more news links to this story.

Still no complete explanation, but there is some new info.

Terror scare over passenger forces BA flight back to UK | News


Terror concerns force landing of flight - UPI.com