Huge brawl breaks out after airline cancels flight

Fort Lauderdale – Fort Lauderdale airport turned into the scene of mayhem when hundreds of passengers clashed with Spirit Airlines employees and police on Monday.

Passengers were angry because Spirit Airlines cancelled 300 flights across the country over the last 7 days. The airline says it is suing its own pilots because they are the ones behind the cancellations.

For days, Spirit passengers across the nation faced hours-long delays and flight cancellations, and by Monday night dam of patience broke for some Florida passengers.

Broward County deputies stepped in to try to restore calm between enraged passengers and airline employees.

 Fliers inside an airplane stormed off after learning their flight had been cancelled. They swarmed the ticket counter, where several passengers were already waiting in line, according to an eyewitness.

Cindy Matthews, a passenger in that plane told CNN;

"Everyone was already aggravated about flight delays and the ridiculousness of standing in such a long line for hours, which Spirit Airlines did nothing to help, and then in walks these people off their flight raising a ruckus (and) cussing and screaming and they went straight to the counter.”

Amateur video footage shows deputies struggling to restore peace. Some passengers were pulled aside, while others were forced to the ground placed in handcuffs. Three passengers were taken into custody, according to Broward County Sheriff's Office.

Spirit Airlines spokesman Paul Berry blamed the whole incidence on its pilots and said his company was "shocked and saddened" by the events.

"These pilots have put their quest for a new contract ahead of getting customers to their destinations and the safety of their fellow Spirit Team Members," Berry said in a statement.

Spirit airline says their pilots are turning down "open time" flights and last minute assignments that would enable them to earn twice their pay. In the lawsuit, the airline claims union members have engaged in a campaign threatening and intimidating other pilots who accept last-minute assignments.

Since 2015, the airline and the pilots union have had several formal and informal contract negotiations but they have not reached an agreement.