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TO Newsroom
UPDATE 3:30 PM PT – Thursday January 14, 2021
Delta Airlines is cracking down on passengers who harassed Republican Senators Mitt Romney and Lindsey Graham – as part of a wider range of restrictions.
On Thursday, Delta CEO Ed Bastian confirmed that the passengers would be banned as part of an increase in security measures following last week’s violent protest at the Capitol. In separate viral videos, Delta passengers were seen harassing both senators for speaking out against President Trump.
According to ‘Reuters’, Delta’s decision was part of a broader security process, which replaced 880 people on the ‘no-fly list’ because they were ‘not wearing masks’ or ‘unruly behavior in connection with the elections’.
However, some passengers claim they were kicked off a Delta flight because they only supported President Trump. According to reports, a man said he was forced from the plane for saying ‘Trump 2020’.
In the meantime, Delta said it prohibits most passengers from checking in firearms on flights to Washington DC. However, some authorized personnel, such as law enforcement officers, will be allowed to check in firearms.
“One thing we’re going to do – is, starting this weekend and next week, we won’t allow anyone to check a firearm at any of the Metro DC airports,” Bastian said. “Unless you are law enforcement officers and authorized to wear one.”
The Delta CEO also noted that authorities are on high alert and in contact with local and federal intelligence agencies. Meanwhile, American Airlines is also enforcing new restrictions in response to the national unrest.
American Airlines said they will not serve alcoholic beverages on flights to and from airports near DC until Jan. 21. This decision came because thousands of National Guardsmen remain stationed around the country’s capital to support law enforcement. They plan to quell any attempted violence prior to the inauguration ceremony.