BREAKING: Plane at SFO Carrying Gov. Christie Delayed After Passenger is Removed

A flight out of San Francisco International Airport carrying New Jersey’s governor was delayed for nearly five hours Friday afternoon, after a passenger had to be removed, Patch has confirmed.

Though initial reports indicated that the reason was for threats made against New Jerser Governor Chris Christie, his office says that’s not the case. His office released the following statement:

“Governor Christie, an aide and a member of his security detail were traveling on a United flight from San Francisco to Boston this morning when a passenger was removed from the plane before takeoff at the request of United Airlines.

At no point did Governor Christie interact with this passenger nor did this passenger pose a verbal or physical threat to the Governor. Any other inquiries about this matter should be directed to United Airlines.”

SFO Spokesman Doug Yakel tells Patch that United Airlines flight 1108, which was scheduled to go to Boston, did indeed have to return to the gate so a passenger could be removed.

He says there was “...a male passenger taking photos of the flight attendants which was causing some discomfort.”

The United Airlines website indicated Friday afternoon that the flight was “...delayed due to aircraft preparation” for four hours and 58 minutes.

Patch has reached out to United Airlines for comment.

On Thursday, the airport made headlines when a Hawaii-bound flight made an emergency return for “cooling issues.”