Passengers onboard an Aeromexico Boeing 737 have leapt to the defense of a man who opened the emergency exit door and walked on the jet’s wing.
The passengers on the Aeromexico flight said the man took the drastic action after they had been left waiting for four hours inside the plane on the tarmac without ventilation or water.
The Aeromexico flight had been due to depart Mexico City International Airport (MEX) on January 25, 2024, at just before 9am local time but a maintenance issue discovered once passengers had boarded the plane had caused the takeoff to be delayed.
As a result of his actions, Aeromexico was forced to deplane everyone from the aircraft and the wing walker was subsequently arrested.
However, it seems that the arrested man had the support of many other passengers on board the flight with 77 signing a statement written while on the aircraft supporting the man’s actions.
Más de 3 horas esperando a que @Aeromexico “solucionara” la falla de su aeronave, sin aire, con puertas cerradas, sin agua, sin información, señoras de la tercera edad al borde del desmayo y su empleada (de cuarta por cierto) burlándose de la situación @lopezdoriga @CarlosLoret pic.twitter.com/PiFkbd56Vr
— Regina (@regina_villazon) January 25, 2024
“The delay and lack of air created conditions that endangered the health of the passengers. He saved our lives,” the statement read according to the Associated Press.
An incident report written up following the incident backed the passenger’s statement.
“Around 11:37 am, a Mexican airline reported the beginning of a disturbance due to passenger discontent on flight AM672. The flight had been due to lift off at 8:45 a.m. Thursday, but because of a maintenance alert on the plane, the captain had to return to the gate for the required maintenance,” the airport document said.
The report added: “The passengers were unhappy and one of them opened the emergency door and stepped out on the wing. This event required the plane to be changed.”
Video footage taken on the place shows exacerbated passengers speaking with cabin crew members.
There has been a distinct rise in these types of incidents being documented by weary passengers after they are left for hours, often in uncomfortable conditions, waiting for clearance to takeoff.
“A passenger on a flight to Guatemala opened an emergency door on a plane while it was stationary at a remote position, stood on a wing and then re-entered the cabin, without affecting the aircraft or anyone else. In line with international security regulations, this person turned himself over to the authorities,” a spokesperson for MEX said.
The passengers were put on another plane and arrived at La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City nearly five hours late.