Heathrow Airport in London experienced a disruption Thursday, August 28, after a passenger allegedly assaulted a crew member and attempted to open an emergency exit door on a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight.The incident, involving a 33-year-old man, caused a four-hour delay for flight SV120, a Boeing 787-10 registered as Hz-Ar27 arriving from Jeddah.
According to reports from The Sun, an argument between the passenger and a cabin crew member escalated into a physical assault. Following the altercation, the passenger allegedly attempted to open an aircraft door while the plane was taxiing. The flight crew immediately alerted authorities, leading to the passenger’s arrest by london police.
Authorities have charged the man with endangering an aircraft and assaulting a crew member, offenses that carry a potential sentence of up to five years in prison and an unlimited fine. He may also face ample financial claims to cover operational damages and losses resulting from the incident.
The incident prompted a response from police and rescue teams who secured the aircraft. Saudi Arabian Airlines has not yet released an official statement regarding the event.