Crew member arrested after UK to New York flight was cancelled just before take off

Plane passengers preparing to head to the Big Apple were hit with delays when their flight was cancelled and a member of the crew was suddenly arrested.

That's definitely not a good start to a holiday.

The events unfolded at Edinburgh Airport on Friday (16 June), when passengers were just half an hour from taking off on a Delta Airlines flight to New York's John F. Kennedy Airport.

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They practically already had their neck pillows on when Delta announced that the flight was cancelled.

Delta Airlines' website indicates the company runs one direct flight from Edinburgh to New York each day, though the airline also operates from other airports across the UK.

The cancellation came as one of the airline's staff, a 61-year-old man, was taken into custody at around 10am.

A spokesperson for Delta confirmed the news of the arrest, saying: "Delta confirms that one of its crew was taken into custody this morning at EDI Airport. Delta is assisting the authorities with their ongoing enquiries.

“Delta’s EDI-JFK flight (June 16) has been cancelled and customers are being re-accommodated. We apologise to customers impacted by this cancellation.”

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Police have said the Delta staff member, who has not been named, was arrested in connection with the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003, but authorities did not explain exactly what he is being accused of.

The Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 was established to make provision both about railways, and about transport safety.

The Delta staff member was charged following his arrest and is now set to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday (19 June).

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 10am on Friday, June 16, a 61-year-old man was arrested at Edinburgh airport in connection with the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003.

“The man was subsequently charged and is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday 19 June, 2023. A report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.”

It's unclear how long it will take for everyone who'd planned to head across the pond on the Delta flight yesterday to actually make it there, but hopefully the cancellation won't cause too many disruptions to their plans.

Even if passengers end up arriving in the middle of the night, at least there'll probably still be plenty to do in the city that never sleeps.

LADbible has contacted Delta Airlines and Police Scotland for further comment following the arrest.