MEXICO CITY (KCBS/AP) -- A Bolivian religious fanatic briefly hijacked a jetliner from the beach resort of Cancun as it landed in Mexico City on Wednesday.
44-year-old Jose Flores told investigators he used a juice can he said was a bomb to hold the 103 passengers and crew on the tarmac for more than an hour.
No one was injured, but the incident leaves airport security under a microscope again.
KCBS' Margie Shafer Reports
San Francisco International Airport spokesman Mike McCarron said security standards differ from country to country.
"Whenever you operate in that country, you have to meet or exceed that country's standards," McCarron said. "In fact, the British carriers, British Airways and Virgin have a little higher procedure for check-in procedures than the normal US carriers do, so you'll see that when you fly British or Virgin."
Israeli carrier El Al is considered the gold standard in airline security measures.
The far majority of hijackings recorded since 2002 have been in the Middle East and Sudan.
McCarron said if you ever find yourself on a hijacked plane, the best course of action is to comply with hijackers demands.
"There's a possibility you may have air marshals on board. The pilots and flight crew have been trained to handle the situation," he said. "So, what you think may be doing something to help out may actually be hindering the process."
U.S., Mexican and French citizens were aboard Wednesday's hijacked AeroMexico flight.
(kmi)
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