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Published January 27, 2024, 7:40 PM ET
A man was arrested after he defiantly stormed out of a plane's emergency exit and onto the wing despite a four-hour delay at Mexico City airport – but other passengers said he saved their lives.
The Guatemala-bound AeroMexico plane was parked at Mexico City International on Thursday waiting to take off when the tired passenger exited the plane and then re-entered the cabin “without impacting the aircraft or others,” airport officials said.
According to the airport, he then turned himself in to the police.
However, numerous passengers signed a written statement claiming the airline made them wait for four hours without ventilation or water while the flight was delayed.
They said the man's apparent outburst was to “protect everyone, with everyone's support.”
“The delay and lack of air created conditions that endangered the health of passengers. He saved our lives,” the statement photos published online read.
The Aeromexico plane had been parked for four hours when the man exited the emergency exit. AP
At least 77 passengers on board the flight signed the statement, handwritten on notebook paper, in support of the man's actions, photos show.
An incident report filed with the airport confirms the passengers' complaints.
“At approximately 11:37 a.m., a Mexican airline reported the beginning of a disruption due to passenger dissatisfaction on flight AM672,” the report said. “The flight was scheduled to depart at 8:45 a.m. on Thursday, but due to a maintenance alert on the aircraft, the captain was required to return to the gate for necessary maintenance.”
Passengers on board the plane said there was no ventilation or water as they waited for departure. AP
“The passengers were dissatisfied and one of them opened the emergency door and climbed onto the wing,” the report said. “This event required a change of aircraft.”
A video apparently taken on board the flight showed passengers fanning themselves and asking a flight attendant for water.
Flight tracking agencies confirmed that flight AM672 to Guatemala City was delayed by 4 hours and 56 minutes on Thursday.
It is unclear whether the man remains in custody or whether charges will be filed against him.
With post wires
https://nypost.com/2024/01/27/news/passengers-support-man-who-opened-planes-emergency-exit-walked-out-on-wing-after-4-hour-delay-he- saved-our-lives/?utm_source=url_sitebuttons&utm_medium=site%20buttons&utm_campaign=site%20buttons
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