Airlines and flight attendant unions concerned about security when pro-Trump rioters leave DC

Airlines and two unions representing flight attendants are concerned about in-flight security as the pro-Trump rioters who stormed the US Capitol Wednesday leave the Washington DC area. American Airlines and United have both increased staffing at the DC-area airports where they operate. American is also suspending alcohol service on its flights to and from the region. The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) International, which represents nearly 50,000 flight attendants at 17 airlines, said the rioters should not be allowed on flights home. "Their violent and seditious actions at the Capitol (Wednesday) create further concern about their departure from the DC area," AFA president Sara Nelson said. "Acts against our democracy, our government, and the freedom we claim as Americans must disqualify these individuals from the freedom of flight." The union that represents American Airlines flight crew, Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), also issued a statement about in-flight incidents. "We are incredibly concerned about recent politically motivated incidents on board passenger aircraft," read the release from the APFA president Julie Hedrick. "Regardless of one's political beliefs, the cabin of a commercial aircraft must, out of necessity, be a calm environment for the safety of everyone onboard." The statements come after several altercations on flights to DC ahead of the gathering of the president's most fervent supporters.<br/>