US flight diverted over ‘suspicious ornament’

WASHINGTON, Jan 2, 2010 (AFP) - A Northwest Airlines flight on its way from Detroit to Orlando, Florida was diverted due to a “suspicious item” that turned out to be a Christmas ornament, US media reported Friday.

“A suspicious item was found and out of an abundance of caution, the pilot decided to divert to Nashville, (Tennessee),” Delta Air Lines spokesman Carlos Santos told the Orlando Sentinel newspaper.

“It turned out to be a Christmas ornament.”

Travel jitters are widespread after a Northwest Airlines flight traveling toward Detroit on Christmas Day was marred by an alleged bomb plot by a Nigerian extremist who tried to ignite an explosive device in his underwear.

Delta Air Lines in October completed its purchase of Northwest to become the world’s largest carrier.

- AFP