Paris-to-Atlanta flight diverted to Maine after air marshals respond to passenger disturbance

Paris-to-Atlanta flight diverted to Maine airport

AUGUSTA, Maine — An American citizen on a flight from Paris to Atlanta claimed to have a fake passport and said he had explosives in his luggage, forcing federal air marshals to intervene and the plane to land in Maine, U.S. officials said Tuesday.

The officials, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing, believe the man’s passport is authentic.

There were 235 passengers and eight crew aboard the Delta Air Lines Airbus A330, which landed safely just after at 3:30 p.m. at Bangor International Airport, Delta spokeswoman Susan Elliott said.

Federal officials met the aircraft at the airport. The Transportation Security Administration said the passenger was being interviewed by law enforcement.

Delta, based in Atlanta, is the world’s largest airline and has a joint venture with Air France-KLM on flights across the Atlantic.

Bangor International Airport is accustomed to dealing with diverted flights.

It’s the first large U.S. airport for incoming European flights, and it’s the last U.S. airport for outgoing flights, with uncluttered skies and one of the longest runways on the East Coast. Aircraft use the airport when there are mechanical problems, medical emergencies or unruly passengers.

The Bangor airport is also a busy refueling hub for troop transports taking military personnel to and from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Associated Press writers Eileen Sullivan in Washington and Harry Weber in Atlanta contributed to this report.