Plane diverted to Dulles after passenger stands on approach

WASHINGTON -- A Continental Airlines jetliner was diverted Friday night after a passenger reportedly stood in violation of rules for flights entering the nation's capital, aviation officials said.

The flight was en route from Newark, N.J., to Ronald Reagan National Airport outside Washington when it was diverted to nearby Dulles International, Transportation Safety Administration spokeswoman Heather Rosenker said.

The plane landed safely at Dulles where police were questioning the passenger, who was not identified. Other passengers were transported by bus to Reagan National.

Rosenker could not provide further details on the incident.

The passenger allegedly violated rules put in place following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that forbid passengers from standing for the last 30 minutes on flights into Reagan National, Rosenker said.