- Chaos during the flight from Vancouver to Sydney
- Passenger accused of trying to open emergency door
A man has been charged after allegedly trying to open an airplane emergency door during an international flight from Vancouver to Sydney.
The Canadian man, 33, has been charged with threatening the safety of an aircraft after the May 14 flight.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison or a $5,000 fine, or both.
Federal police allege that about two hours into the 15.5-hour flight, a passenger saw the man trying to open an emergency exit and pulled him away.
The Canadian man, 33, has been charged with threatening the safety of an aircraft after the flight on May 14 (stock image)
Airline staff took the man to a seat at the back of the plane and monitored him for the rest of the flight.
“It will be alleged that the man was drunk at the time of the incident,” an AFP spokesperson said.
When the plane landed in Sydney, he was arrested and charged with an alleged breach of the Civil Aviation Act, threatening the safety of aircraft.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) Inspector Dom Stephenson says passengers should feel safe and not engage in reckless behavior while flying.
The man will face Sydney’s Downing Center Local Court on Monday (stock image)
“The AFP and our airline partners will not tolerate anti-social, violent or dangerous behavior and we will take action,” he said.
“Passengers are expected to feel safe and should not witness drunkenness or reckless behavior.”
The man will appear in Sydney’s Downing Center Local Court on Monday.