MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL – The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), together with US Airways and an agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigations, has reached a global settlement with six individuals removed from U.S. Airways Flight 300 on November 20, 2006.

Flight 300 was scheduled to take off from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) bound for Phoenix, Arizona. Before the flight departed, however, Airport Police removed six Islamic clerics (imams) from the aircraft at the request of the airline’s flight crew, who had received a report from a passenger about suspicious behavior by the imams. Airport Police notified the Federal Bureau of Investigations, which asked that the six men be detained for questioning. The imams were questioned by the FBI and Secret Service and released. No charges were filed.

The imams subsequently filed a civil suit in U.S. District Court, claiming unlawful detainment.

“Law enforcement officials did what they believed was appropriate to ensure the safety of travelers based on the information available at the time,” said MAC’s General Counsel Tom Anderson. “We will continue to be vigilant in maintaining the security of Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and the safety of travelers who use it.”

The MAC’s liability insurance policy limits potential financial exposure in such cases to $50,000. The insurer has the right to assume control of the defense or settlement of claims and exercised that right in this case.

Details of the settlement are still being finalized for approval by the court.