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An onboard fight caused a Southwest Airlines flight to return to Phoenix after taking off for Ohio, the airline said Monday.

The incident occurred on Flight 1699. It had departed Sky Harbor and was en route to Columbus, Ohio, shortly before 7 p.m. on the evening of December 23rd

Newsweek asked Phoenix police for comment via an online form.

Why it matters

Such in-flight disruptions can have a significant impact on safety and operations and may require emergency measures, such as in this case the repatriation of a flight to its origin.

Travel records are expected to be set this week as tens of millions of Americans travel for the holidays. Accordingly, airlines may face additional challenges in maintaining order and ensuring passenger safety.

What you should know

Southwest issued a statement regarding the incident Newsweek: “Southwest Airlines Flight 1699 returned safely to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Monday evening after a reported altercation on board.

The plane later flew to its original destination of Columbus, Ohio. For further details, please contact local law enforcement. We apologize for the inconvenience caused to our customers.

Phoenix police told local TV station Fox 10 that officers responded to the gate around 9 p.m., after the plane returned and before it took off a second time.

“None of the passengers were cooperative with the criminal investigation. One of the passengers was removed from the plane before takeoff. “said the police.

Neither Southwest Airlines nor Phoenix police explained what the fight was about.

What people say

Southwest Airlines, in a statement about it Newsweek: “We apologize for the disruption and are working to get our customers to Columbus, Ohio as quickly as possible.”

Phoenix Police Department to Fox 10: “None of the passengers were cooperative with the criminal investigation. One of the passengers was removed from the aircraft before takeoff.”

Title 49, United States Code, Section 46504—Interference with flight crew members and flight attendants: “A person on an aircraft under the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States who, by attacking or intimidating a flight crew member or flight attendant of the aircraft, impairs the performance of the duties of the aircraft or violates the ability of a member or attendant Interferes with the member’s or companion’s ability to perform such duties, or attempts or conspires to do such an act, shall be punishable by a fine up to imprisonment in accordance with Title 18 of not more than 20 years. However, if a dangerous weapon is used to attack or intimidate the member or companion, the person shall be punished with imprisonment for several years or for life.”

What’s next?

Phoenix police said the investigation is ongoing.

The airports are expected to continue to be busy during the rest of the holidays. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) predicted last week that it would screen 40 million airline passengers over the holidays and through Jan. 2.