FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Irate passengers swarmed ticket counters and some started a near-riot at Fort Lauderdale's airport after Spirit Airlines canceled nine flights, blaming the decision on pilots' failure to show up.

The Broward Sheriff's Office said about 500 people were crowded into Spirit's terminal at the Fort Lauderdale airport late Monday after the airline canceled the flights. Deputies arrested three people from New York — Davante Garrett 24, Desmond Waul, 22, and Janice Waul, 24 — in the airport.

— Staff and news services