Passengers removed from Spirit Airlines flight at BWI Airport

BALTIMORE (WBFF) - A Spirit Airlines flight at BWI Airport was called back to the gate while taxiing to takeoff early Tuesday morning.

Spirit Airlines confirmed that four passengers were removed from the plane "out of an abundance of caution" after a passenger alerted a flight attendant of a person "engaged in suspicious activity on board."

The airline released the following statement around 9 a.m., and said the flight was scheduled to take off "shortly":

Spirit Airlines flight 969, scheduled for a 6am departure from Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) to Chicago O'Hare international Airport (ORD), experienced a delay this morning due to law enforcement activity. While the aircraft was taxiing to the runway, a passenger alerted a flight attendant of a passenger engaged in suspicious activity on board. The flight attendant notified the captain, and out of an abundance of caution, the plane returned to the gate. Law enforcement officers removed four passengers from the plane for questioning. All passengers were deplaned for a brief time. The aircraft and luggage has been cleared by the TSA and the plane is scheduled to take off shortly. All questions regarding the investigation should be directed to the TSA and Maryland Transportation Authority Police.

In a phone interview from the airport WJLA General Assignment reporter Suzanne Kennedy gave her account of the morning's events:

"As we were taxiing, a woman and her small child rapidly moved toward the back of the cabin," Kennedy said. "That immediately alerted flight attendants and that woman was told to sit down immediately. We were brought back to the gate and that is when they told us that the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) Police were going to be entering the flight and were going to be inspecting the flight."

A BWI spokesperson confirmed that MDTA Police interviewed the passengers removed from the flight.

"A passenger on Spirit Airlines flight 969 from BWI to Chicago apparently reported that another passenger may have made a comment or exhibited other unusual behavior," BWI Spokesperson Jonathan Dean wrote in an emailed statement. He added, "At this point, there is no indication of a serious incident."

Flight NK969 was headed for Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD). It was scheduled for a 6 a.m. departure.

"Psgrs had carry on luggage," Kennedy wrote on Twitter as the events unfolded. "Several backpacks Appeared to be in early 30s and of middle eastern descent"

At 9:30 a.m. BWI Airport confirmed the flight had departed for ORD.

No further details have been released. Updates will be posted here.