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Attempted Emergency Exit Breach on AirAsia X Flight Leads to Arrest
Authorities have taken a man into custody following an alarming incident aboard an AirAsia X flight on Saturday, where he allegedly attempted to open the emergency exit doors while the plane was in the air. The flight was en route to Sydney from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, at the time of the incident, as reported by the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
Details from the AFP indicate that after the suspect was initially escorted to a seat away from the exit, he made a second attempt to open another emergency exit door. During the process, he reportedly assaulted a member of the flight crew. Witnesses described the ensuing chaos, where both crew members and passengers helped to restrain the individual.
Shadi Taiseer Alsaaydeh, a 46-year-old Jordanian national, has been charged with two counts of endangering the safety of an aircraft and one count of assaulting cabin crew. The authorities apprehended him upon the flight’s arrival at Sydney International Airport.
Each charge is serious, carrying a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison. Acting Superintendent Davina Copelin of the AFP emphasized that such reckless actions can lead to tragic outcomes and reaffirmed the commitment of the AFP to address any criminal behavior on flights. “Passengers and airline staff should not have to endure violent or dangerous conduct,” she stated.
In a statement regarding the situation, AirAsia X maintained that at no point were the safety of passengers or crew compromised and reiterated their zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behavior.
Alsaaydeh’s legal representation suggested that the man had consumed alcohol in conjunction with two medications—pseudoephedrine and a sleeping pill—prior to boarding the flight. Furthermore, they expressed that he had no recollection of the events that transpired during the flight.
Legal Proceedings and Context
During the bail hearing, magistrate Anthony Spence aptly noted the terror associated with someone attempting to manipulate airplane exit doors at cruising altitudes. Alsaaydeh reportedly works for the Jordanian government in nuclear waste management and was traveling to Australia for a meeting regarding procedures related to the transportation of nuclear materials.
Spence ultimately denied the bail request, citing the severity of the charges and the potential risk posed to the community should Alsaaydeh be released. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 8 at the Downing Centre Local Court.
This incident is not isolated, as it follows another recent event where a passenger on a flight from Bali to Melbourne attempted a similar breach during their flight. In that case, the plane was forced to return to its point of origin due to a disruptive passenger who attempted to open a door over an hour into the flight.
Responses from both airlines and law enforcement highlight an increasing unease regarding passenger behavior on flights, underscoring the need for vigilance to ensure the safety of all aboard.
Source
globalnews.ca