Passenger exits plane by emergency slide as aircraft taxies on Paris airport runway
The man was intercepted by transport police and other passengers were evacuated from the plane
The aircraft was moments from departure when the man opened the emergency door
Jaromir Chalabala / Shutterstock
Disruption hit Paris-Orly airport on Friday evening (February 7) when a man ejected himself from an aircraft using an emergency exit as the plane was preparing for take-off.
The plane, operated by the Iberia airline and flying between Paris and Madrid was scheduled for take-off just after 18:00.
It was taxi-ing towards the runway when the individual got out of his seat and opened an emergency exit at the rear of the plane.
This caused the emergency exit slide to unfurl, which the passenger used to leave the aircraft.
Emergency services were notified and the man was arrested on the runway by transport police at the airport, the Aéroports de Paris group that manages Paris Orly said on Sunday (February 9).
The Créteil public prosecutor confirmed to several media outlets that the man “is being prosecuted for obstructing the movement of an aircraft.”
Other passengers were evacuated from the plane, however the service was allowed to take off several hours later and later landed safely in Madrid.
A video of emergency services rushing to the tarmac after the scene can be seen below.
Read more: France – US flight diverts to Ireland because of passenger disruption
Mystery of outburst
The reason for the man’s actions remains unknown. Mental health may have played a role in the incident – the individual was released from custody due to a medical incompatibility, French media La Dépêche reports.
The man had allegedly attacked an air hostess who attempted to stop him from opening the door, airline Iberia said addressing the issue, but did not discuss the extent of the altercation.
Read more: What will expected new European regulations mean for French air travel?
