India, Oct. 26 -- A United Airlines aircraft operating service from Las Vegas to Newark diverted back to Harry Reid International Airport on Saturday evening after a flight attendant identified a passenger engaged in text communications regarding a potential aircraft hijacking.

The flight crew secured the cockpit door while simultaneously informing air traffic control that the passenger appeared unaware of any ongoing response measures.

The Boeing 737 MAX 8 returned to Las Vegas, where crew duty time limitations subsequently expired, resulting in an extended overnight delay for passengers.

United Airlines Flight 1681 had originally departed on October 24. The airline classified the incident as a "potential security concern" and confirm...