Another Flight Diverted Because Of Suspected No-Fly Passenger

For the second time in less than a week, a commercial flight from Europe was diverted to Bangor, ME, Tuesday because one of the passengers' names popped up on a no-fly list. But this time, officials say the man in question was indeed banned from commercial flights to the US.

The Alitalia flight from Milan was intercepted by Canadian fighters, which escorted it through Canadian airspace. They were replaced over the border by US fighters, which shadowed the flight all the way into Bangor.

''Alitalia and the FAA were in regular communication with the pilot throughout the flight, and there were no reports of any unusual activity on board," TSA spokeswoman Ann Davis told the Boston Globe.

Although the government released no details on the suspect, Davis said he was determined he was "not of interest," according to the Globe.

As ANN reported last week, an Air France flight from Paris to Boston was diverted to Bangor and four people -- a man, woman child and infant -- were removed from the flight. Authorities said the man's name was similar to one on a no-fly list. The TSA later said that was a false alarm.

After the unnamed man and his luggage were removed from the Alitalia flight, the other passengers continued on to Boston, arriving about two hours late. He was described by other passengers as compliant and cooperative with authorities.

But the two incidents together cause some lawmakers, like US Representative Ed Markey (D-MA) wonder if the no-fly list is really more like a land-in-Bangor list.

''It is unacceptable that checks against the list are performed after the plane has left the gate and may already be in the air," he said in a statement obtained by the Globe.

FMI: www.tsa.gov