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On Friday (June 27), an odor at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina led to the hospitalization of seven people. The individuals, including six crew members and one gate agent, experienced inhalation symptoms from an unknown substance, according to the Mecklenburg Emergency Medical Services Agency (Medic). All affected individuals were reported to have minor injuries and are in stable condition.
The incident occurred on American Airlines flight 2055, which was set to depart for Los Angeles. The odor was detected before passengers boarded the Airbus A321. A spokesperson for American Airlines confirmed that the crew received medical attention on-site and were subsequently transported to a nearby hospital for further evaluation. The aircraft was taken out of service for inspection by the maintenance team.
The flight was canceled, and passengers were scheduled to depart on a replacement aircraft.
The incident coincided with a technology issue affecting American Airlines' systems, which contributed to delays at the airport. Additionally, a ground stop was issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) due to storms, further impacting flight schedules. More than 731 flights were delayed, and 132 were canceled at the airport.