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Man removed from flight after maths equations cause terror scare

An Ivy League economist who was escorted off an American Airlines plane on terrorism suspicions has laughed off the cause of his interrogation, revealing the incident was sparked over his mathematics equations.

Guido Menzio, an Italian professor with dark curly hair, was keeping to himself before take-off on the flight from Philadelphia to Ontario, where he was due to give a presentation on menu costs and price dispersion.

A sample of Mr Menzio's workings, which he uploaded to Facebook. Photo: Facebook/Guido Menzio
A sample of Mr Menzio's workings, which he uploaded to Facebook. Photo: Facebook/Guido Menzio

As the plane left the gate and taxied towards the runway, Mr Menzio became focused on his workbook, scribbling down a series of numbers and symbols as part of a differential equation.

The woman seated next to him, described by Mr Menzio as a blonde woman in her 30s, became suspicious of Mr Menzio’s ‘cryptic’ notes and told staff she was feeling too sick to travel.


The Washington Post reported that after a lengthy delay on the tarmac, the plane turned around and the woman was removed from the flight – where she revealed her true concerns about her fellow traveller.

She requested to be booked on to another flight and the airline complied.

Mr Menzio won a prestigious award for his success in the world of economics last year. Photo: Facebook/Guido Menzio
Mr Menzio won a prestigious award for his success in the world of economics last year. Photo: Facebook/Guido Menzio
Mr Menzio said the American Airlines pilot seemed 'embarrassed' after the ordeal. Photo: Yahoo7
Mr Menzio said the American Airlines pilot seemed 'embarrassed' after the ordeal. Photo: Yahoo7

Mr Menzio, still blissfully unaware that he was the cause of the delay, was then removed from the flight and interviewed by officials.

When he was told he was removed because of the 'codes' he had been writing, the 40-year-old professor laughed and showed them his calculations.

He was soon deemed a non-threat and allowed to return to his seat, saying the pilot seemed ‘embarrassed’ by the ordeal.

The incident caused the American Airlines flight to be delayed more than two hours after its scheduled departure time.

Mr Menzio told the Washington Post he was frustrated by the “broken system” and believes the US security protocol is “too rigid, in the sense that once the whistle is blown everything stops without checks – and relies on the input of people who may be completely clueless. ”

Mr Menzio was flying in Ontario to talk at Queens University. Photo: Facebook/Guido Menzio
Mr Menzio was flying in Ontario to talk at Queens University. Photo: Facebook/Guido Menzio

It is not known if the woman that left the flight was ever informed of Mr Menzio’s real identity.

Last year, Mr Menzio was awarded the Carlo Alberto Medal, an award given to the best Italian economist under 40.

News break – May 8