A 46-year-old man was arrested on Saturday, April 5, after allegedly attempting to open emergency exit doors and assaulting a crew member aboard an AirAsia flight.
The flight was en route from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Sydney, Australia, when the incident occurred, according to the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
The man, identified as Shadi Taisser Ayed Alsaaydeh, reportedly tried to open the rear emergency exit door during the flight.
After being escorted to a seat in the middle of the plane, he allegedly made another attempt to open a different emergency exit. It was at this point that crew members and passengers intervened, restraining him.
During the confrontation, Alsaaydeh is accused of choking an airline staff member who had stepped in to stop him.
In a statement, AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Davina Copelin condemned the man’s actions, highlighting that such behavior could have had tragic consequences.
“The safety of passengers and airline staff must be a priority, and the AFP will not hesitate to act against those who endanger the well-being of others in the air,” Copelin said.
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The Australian Federal Police charged Alsaaydeh with two counts of endangering the safety of an aircraft and one count of assaulting crew members. Each of these charges carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
According to reports, Alsaaydeh’s lawyer explained that he had consumed pseudoephedrine, a sleeping pill, and alcohol before the flight, which might explain his erratic behavior. The lawyer also stated that Alsaaydeh has no recollection of the incident.
Alsaaydeh, a government employee from Jordan, was traveling to Sydney for official meetings. He was not granted bail, and the matter is now being handled by authorities.
AirAsia assured that its cabin crew acted professionally and took the necessary steps to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew members on board.
