A Jordanian man, Shadi Taiseer Alsaaydeh, has been charged after allegedly attempting to open the doors of a Sydney-bound plane mid-flight. According to the Australian federal police (AFP), Alsaaydeh allegedly tried to open the rear emergency exit door while he was traveling from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Saturday night. He is expected to face Parramatta local court on Sunday.

After being escorted to a seat in the middle of the plane, Alsaaydeh allegedly attempted to open another emergency exit door. Crew and passengers had to restrain him during which he allegedly assaulted an airline staff member. Upon arrival in Sydney, he was charged with two counts of endangering the safety of an aircraft and one count of assaulting cabin crew. Each of these offenses carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

The AFP Det Acting Supt Davina Copelin stated that such dangerous behavior on planes will not be tolerated. She emphasized that the actions of Alsaaydeh could have had tragic consequences and that passengers and airplane staff should not have to endure unruly, violent, or dangerous behavior on flights. The AFP will take appropriate action against individuals engaging in criminal behavior on airplanes, especially when their actions have the potential to endanger the safety of passengers, crew, or the flight.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/06/man-charged-after-allegedly-attempting-to-open-plane-door-on-flight-to-sydney-ntwnfb