TACA flight to LAX grounded nine hours

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Airport officials are disputing claims they forced passengers to remain on a flight grounded by fog in Southern California for more than nine hours.

Los Angeles World Airports contends the crew of the TACA International Airlines flight never asked controllers to allow the plane's 193 passengers to disembark after it was forced to land at Ontario (Calif.) International Airport late Sunday night.

"It is also unknown why, even after suggested, TACA staff did not

request clearance to have their passengers deplane for humanitarian

reasons," the agency said in a written statement.

TACA had said earlier the airport refused to allow the passengers off the plane because they did not want the passengers passing through customs before their final destination.

The Los Angeles Times said Tuesday Flight 670 from San Salvador to Los Angeles had to land at Ontario due to heavy fog at LAX. The plane sat on the tarmac until Monday morning, completing the 4-hour flight in nearly 14 hours.

Airport officials said the passengers received a shipment of snacks at around 4 a.m. PST and seemed to make it through the ordeal no worse for wear.