ALBAWABA - On a Korean Air aircraft from Bangkok to South Korea on Thursday, a customer reportedly got into a fight with the cabin staff about his seat, and the altercation escalated when he threatened to open the emergency exit. The dramatic event was documented in pictures and videos, which swiftly went viral on social media.
The traveler, who was apparently feeling ill, tried to take a seat near the emergency exit that was designated for personnel, Korean Air said in a statement. The man became irate and threatened to open the emergency escape door while yelling at the flight attendants when the crew told him he had to go back to his designated seat.
The flight crew warned him many times, emphasizing that his actions were a major violation of aviation safety rules. In order to calm the other passengers, they were able to detain him and move him to a different part of the aircraft.
The traveler was turned over to local officials at Incheon International Airport and held there for interrogation and possible legal action.
Because the air pressure inside and outside the aircraft is equal, an emergency exit may be opened on the ground or at low altitudes, according to a South Korean Ministry of Transportation official who described the danger associated in such circumstances. However, because of the pressure differential, trying to open the door at higher elevations presents serious risks.
There are an increasing number of situations like this one. A passenger on an Asiana Airlines airplane at an altitude of around 200 meters successfully opened an emergency escape in a noteworthy occurrence that occurred in May 2023. Nine passengers started having respiratory problems as a result of the occurrence, which caused fear and forced the jet to make an emergency landing.
