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A passenger on an AirAsia X flight to Sydney allegedly had to be restrained by crew after attempting to open two separate emergency exit doors mid-flight.
A 45-year-old Jordanian man, Shadi Taiseer Alsaaydeh, has been charged with two counts of endangering the safety of an aircraft and one count of assaulting cabin crew, and is set to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday.
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Police allege the incident, which reportedly took place on board flight D7220 from Kuala Lumpur to Sydney on Saturday, saw Alsaaydeh try to open the rear emergency exit door, then, after being escorted to a seat in the middle of the plane, attempt to open the middle emergency exit door.
During this alleged second attempt, police claim that Alsaaydeh assaulted an AirAsia X staff member and had to be restrained by passengers and crew.
“The actions of this man could have had tragic consequences, and passengers and airplane staff shouldn’t have to put up with unruly, violent or dangerous behaviour on flights,” said the AFP’s Det Acting Supt Davina Copelin.
“The AFP will not hesitate to take action against people who engage in criminal behaviour on airplanes, especially where this behaviour has the potential to endanger the safety of passengers, crew or the flight itself.”
In a statement, AirAsia X said “at no time was the safety of guests or crew compromised”.
“Our cabin crew, who are professionally trained to respond to such situations, took all necessary steps to ensure the safety of everyone on board,” the carrier said.
“AirAsia has a zero tolerance policy for inappropriate behaviour of any kind, and as per procedure. alerted the AFP and relevant authorities to meet the aircraft on arrival in Sydney.
“The matter is now with the relevant authorities and as such, we are unable to comment further.”
Saturday’s alleged incident is the latest in a string of reports of unruly behaviour on flights to and from Australia in recent weeks, with a woman who allegedly attempted to open a door mid-air on a Jetstar flight last week sent back to Australia from Bali over the weekend.
Other alleged disruptions have included a fight between two male passengers on a Melbourne-Bali Jetstar service, and an assault on a Qantas staff member and two others at Sydney Airport.
