Overview
- The Omni Air charter from Harlingen, Texas, landed at 1:09 a.m. Monday for a planned refueling stop and kept detainees onboard for roughly 13 hours before deplaning.
- About 100 people in ICE custody were initially held on the aircraft because high winds made towing unsafe, then were moved into a terminal closed to the public.
- DHS says detainees received meals, water, restroom access, needed prescription medications, medical personnel availability, and regular welfare checks during the delay.
- The delay extended to about 31 hours after the crew exceeded federal duty-time limits, with departure recorded at 8:01 a.m. Tuesday toward an overseas destination; flight-tracking showed a route toward Sofia, Bulgaria.
- Portsmouth officials say they were notified only 15 minutes before arrival, while Port City Air notes it must service federal flights and does not make routing decisions, as local leaders press for transparency and accountability.