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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Business
Jordyn Beazley

Jetstar passenger arrested on Melbourne airport tarmac after opening plane door and walking on wing

The passenger left through an emergency exit and walked along the wing, a Jetstar spokeswoman said.
The passenger left the plane through an emergency exit and made his way to the ground at Melbourne airport, a Jetstar spokeswoman said. Photograph: Jono Searle/AAP

A Jetstar passenger has opened the emergency exit door of a plane after it landed at Melbourne Airport then walked along the wing before being intercepted by ground staff.

A spokesperson for Jetstar said the plane, which had arrived in Melbourne from Sydney, was parked at the time.

“The passenger exited via the emergency exit and walked along the wing before making his way down to the ground via the engine,” the spokesperson said.

Sky News reported that the man was pacing around before he opened the exit, with flight attendants and passengers urging him to sit down.

The passenger was arrested by the Australian federal police (AFP) and the remaining passengers disembarked from the plane a short while later.

A spokesperson for the AFP said the man was assessed by ambulance officers and was transferred to hospital for further assessment.

The spokesperson said the man was arrested for alleged aggressive behaviour and breaching aircraft safety protocols.

“AFP is continuing to investigate this matter, and charges are likely to be laid at a future date,” they said.

One passenger posted on X that the passenger was tackled on the tarmac after he exited the plane.

A Melbourne airport spokesperson confirmed the man was detained by staff before being arrested by the AFP.

“Melbourne Airport is proud of the exceptional response from ground crew, which meant there was no immediate danger to other passengers or airport staff,” the spokesperson said.

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