Airport Security and a Broward Sherriff's Deputy keep an eye on the line at Spirit Airlines, Tuesday, May 9, 2017, at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Skirmishes involving irate passengers broke out at the Florida airport Monday following the cancellation of multiple Spirit Airlines flights. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP)
The Associated Press
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) - Skirmishes involving irate passengers broke out at a Florida airport following the cancellation of multiple Spirit Airlines flights.
Broward Sheriff's officials tell ABC News that deputies were called to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on Monday to deal with angry passengers. Videos posted online show deputies trying to break up fights and detaining some unruly passengers.
CBS News reports nine flights were canceled.
In a statement, airline officials say they're "shocked and saddened" to see videos of the airport incident. They blame the Airline Pilots Association for the cancellations, adding they've filed a lawsuit against the pilots association over an "unlawful job action."
The association tells CBS that Spirit pilots aren't engaged in any job action with Spirit and that the airline's operations "have experienced significant problems over the past several days."
Latreece Smith rests as her friend Tamari Cameron checks flight information, Tuesday, May 9, 2017, at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Skirmishes involving irate passengers broke out at the Florida airport Monday following the cancellation of multiple Spirit Airlines flights. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this June 12, 2010, file photo, stranded passengers stand at the Spirit Airlines ticket counter at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. ABC News reported on May 9, 2017, that sheriff's deputies were brought in to calm angry passengers at the airport after nine Spirit flights were cancelled on May 8. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
The Associated Press