Flight Diverted to Iowa After Passenger Tries to Open Exit Door Midair

A SkyWest Airlines flight from Omaha to Detroit made an emergency landing in Cedar Rapids after a passenger tried to open an exit door mid-air and fought with a flight attendant. The 23-year-old man was arrested by local police once the plane landed safely. The flight was able to continue to Detroit later that night.

A SkyWest Airlines flight from Omaha to Detroit was forced to make an emergency landing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, after a passenger attempted to open an exit door mid-air and engaged in a physical altercation with a flight attendant. The incident occurred on Thursday evening local time, with the plane landing safely at the Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids.

The passenger, identified as 23-year-old Mario Nikprelaj from Nebraska, was arrested by local police upon landing. He is facing multiple charges, including disorderly conduct, assault, possession of prescription medication, tax stamp violation, and first-degree harassment. The flight was able to resume its journey to Detroit later that night, with no injuries reported among the passengers or crew.

This incident highlights the increasing trend of unruly passenger behavior on flights, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reporting over 870 such incidents in the U.S. this year alone. SkyWest Airlines, which operates as a Delta Connection, has a zero-tolerance policy for unruly behavior and emphasizes the safety of its passengers and crew as its top priority.

The emergency landing and subsequent arrest have financial implications for both Delta and SkyWest. Unplanned landings and diversions can lead to additional operational costs, including emergency landing fees, reallocation of resources, and potential delays in crew availability and aircraft rotations. These costs can cascade across an airline's route network, impacting overall operational efficiency and passenger satisfaction.

References:
[1] https://abc7chicago.com/post/plane-makes-emergency-landing-iowa-mario-nikprelaj-tries-open-door-during-skywest-flight-omaha-detroit-police/17184777/
[2] https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/emergency-landing-in-cedar-rapids-skywest-operated-delta-flight-disrupted-on-us-domestic-route-heres-what-you-need-to-know-now/
[3] https://abcnews.go.com/US/passenger-arrested-after-open-exit-door-skywest-flight/story?id=123855232
[4] https://nypost.com/2025/07/18/us-news/delta-flight-to-detroit-diverted-after-passenger-tries-to-open-exit-door/
[5] https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/skywest-airlines-flight-omaha-detroit-diverted-cedar-rapids-unruly-passenger/