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Passenger in Virginia refused to don mask, delaying flight

A Southern China Airlines flight from Guangzhou, China, causes a light flare on the camera lens as it flies past the sun as it arrives at Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, British Columbia, Wednesday, March 18, 2020. (Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press via AP) (Jonathan Hayward, THE CANADIAN PRESS)

RICHMOND, Va. – American Airlines says a flight out of Virginia was delayed after a passenger refused to comply with its policy requiring a face mask.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that the incident occurred Sunday morning at Richmond International Airport.

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The airline said the plane returned to the gate. And the passenger ultimately exited the plane. The flight then departed for North Carolina's Charlotte Douglas International Airport without further issues.

American has required passengers to wear face coverings since May 11. Passengers who don't comply are denied boarding.

Since July 29, the Airline has enacted a policy that requires customers over the age of 2 to wear face coverings in areas of an airport operated by American.