John Kerrigan, a Virginia father, is seeking an apology from Southwest Airlines after he was wrongfully accused of human trafficking during a flight in late October.
The incident occurred on October 21 when Kerrigan, along with his daughter and their friend, was preparing to disembark at Norfolk International Airport.
Flight crew members mistakenly suspected him of trafficking the two girls and alerted security.
Kerrigan was forcibly removed from the plane by officers, causing significant public humiliation. Although he was released after questioning, he expressed frustration over the lack of a proper apology from the airline.
Southwest Airlines offered him a $1,500 voucher but did not include an apology in their communication, instead merely expressing regret for his “disappointment.
The incident follows a similar case from the previous year, in which a California mother was also wrongly accused of trafficking her daughter on a Southwest flight. Kerrigan, while considering legal action, was advised by his attorney to accept the flight credit.
However, he remains discontent with the airline’s response, highlighting his disappointment with the lack of genuine acknowledgment or apology for the distress caused.