BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER)-- The Scandinavian plane that was diverted to Bangor International Airport last night should be taking off any minute according to BIA officials.
BIA Interim Director Tony Caruso says passengers from the diverted plane started arriving back at B.I.A. around noon today.
The Star Alliance flight was flying from Newark, New Jersey to Copenhagen, Denmark yesterday when the plane filled with smoke. After landing safely at BIA passengers and crew were put up at area hotels for the night.
Caruso says the problem was a malfunctioning air conditioning unit which has been fixed. He said, "We had our mechanics work on the problem last night and we are now waiting for a mechanic to come in to sign off the work and make sure everything was done to FAA standards. "
Since 2004, BIA has accepted 627 diverted flights. Of those, only about 50 have been maintenance related.
Bangor International Airport receives diversions frequently because of its Northeastern location and it is one of the first available airports for international flights crossing the Atlantic Ocean.
NEWS CENTER