A Chicago to New York flight was diverted to Kalamazoo due to in-flight issues.
All 165 passengers on the Boeing 737 were safely deplaned without any injuries.
Reports suggest a fuel leak might have been the cause, though this hasn't been confirmed by the airport officials.
A Chicago-bound flight en route to New York took an unexpected turn when it was forced to make a landing at Michigan's Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport this Saturday. The aircraft, a Boeing 737 operated by American Airlines, had 165 passengers on board. There were no reported injuries.
Speaking to local media about the incident, Craig Williams, the Airport Director said: "They landed safely, and all the passengers are now at the terminal." While the exact cause of the diversion remains somewhat uncertain, American Airlines cited a mechanical problem as the main reason. Some reports also hinted at a possible fuel leak, but Williams could neither confirm nor refute these claims. He, however, noted that there wasn't any evidence of fuel loss at the Kalamazoo facility.
After departing from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport at 6:37 a.m. CDT, the plane made its landing in Michigan by 8:11 a.m. EDT. A replacement aircraft is expected to arrive in Kalamazoo to ensure the stranded passengers continue on to their final destination of LaGuardia Airport in New York. As they wait, the airport has made arrangements to offer complimentary coffee to all affected passengers. An American Airlines spokesperson reiterated the company's commitment to customer safety and stated that efforts are underway to ensure the passengers are back on their journey as soon as possible.
