Airline passenger tries to open exit door midair, fights flight attendant

A regional airline flight heading to Detroit had to make an emergency landing in eastern Iowa after a passenger fought with a flight attendant and tried to open an exit door midair, said AP citing pilot's communication with air traffic controllers.

Shortly after 6 pm on Thursday, the pilot of SkyWest Airlines Flight 3612 radioed air traffic control at Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids to request an emergency landing due to an unruly passenger onboard.

"He's in a fight with our flight attendant right now, trying to open the emergency exit," the pilot said, according to audio captured by LiveATC.

The disturbance happened shortly after the SkyWest flight departed from Omaha, Nebraska, around 5.30 pm Thursday, according to police. The flight was diverted to and landed safely at the Cedar Rapids airport, according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Once on the ground, local police boarded and arrested the 23-year-old Omaha man, Cedar Rapids police said.

The flight was able to travel on to Detroit later Thursday night, according to a statement issued by SkyWest Airlines, a Utah-based regional carrier that operates flights for major airlines like United, Delta, American and Alaska Airlines.

"SkyWest has zero tolerance for unruly behaviour as safety for our customers and crew is our top priority," the statement read.

(With AP inputs)