A Brazilian couple who went viral after authorities stated the 2 tried to drive their means onto an American Airways flight and hurled espresso at two airport staffers within the course of spoke out concerning the incident, chalking it as much as a misunderstanding.
Authorities say Beatriz Rapoport de Campos Maia, 29, and her fiancé, Rafael Seirafe-Novaes, 41, tried to barge their means by gate brokers on the Miami Worldwide Airport after they missed the boarding course of for his or her flight to Cancun on March 2.
Each had been charged with battery and trespassing. Seirafe-Novaes was additionally charged with resisting arrest with out violence.
After they had been launched from jail, they defended themselves in opposition to the allegations in an interview with CBS Information Miami.
“No person threw espresso. The espresso fell,” De Campos Maia instructed the outlet. “The woman who stated I threw it was a liar. It simply dropped on the ground.”
“I’m not loopy. We’d not throw espresso. Espresso, I drink,” Rafael Seirafe-Novaes added.
Cellphone video captured the second a number of officers took down Seirafe-Novaes and stopped De Campos Maia once they went by the gate.
Footage additionally reveals the moments Seirafe-Novaes was escorted in handcuffs to a police automobile on the tarmac.
The couple stated that the missed flight marked their second connection to Cancun, the place they needed to rejoice their engagement.
“We simply misplaced our journey to Cancun. We simply received engaged, and what occurred is a foul factor,” De Campos Maia stated. “We had been going to Cancun to get pleasure from our trip, all-inclusive resort. We already paid the resort. It’s some huge cash. After which we weren’t ready to try this.”
The couple, who’re Benefit Platinum Professional members with American Airways, stated they’re not sure whether or not they’ll attempt to rebook a brand new journey to Cancun.
In a press release, American Airways stated, “Acts of violence aren’t tolerated by American Airways, and we’re dedicated to working carefully with regulation enforcement within the investigation.”
A spokesperson for the airline instructed Those who the incident ended up delaying the flight to Cancun by practically 10 minutes. It was set to depart Miami at 9:01 a.m. on March 2 and arrive in Cancun at 10:56 a.m., however left the airport at 9:10 a.m. and arrived at 11:22 a.m.
