Jordanian man charged with trying to open doors on Sydney-bound flight from Malaysia

A Jordanian man on a Sydney-bound flight tried to open two of the plane’s doors before assaulting a crew member when passengers rushed to subdue him, police allege.

A Jordanian man on a Sydney-bound flight has been charged with two counts of endangering the safety of an aircraft and one count of assaulting aircraft crew.

A Jordanian man on a Sydney-bound flight allegedly tried to open two of the plane’s doors and assaulted a crew member, in in an incident police said could have had catastrophic consequences.

Shadi Taiseer Alsaaydeh, 46, was on an AirAsia flight from the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur on Saturday when he allegedly tried to open a rear emergency door.

The Australian Federal Police said cabin crew members and several passengers rushed over and restrained Alsaaydeh before moving him to a middle seat of the plane.

As the flight continued, police allege Alsaaydeh turned his focus to a middle emergency exit, which he attempted to open, before he was pulled back by passengers and crew.

While being restrained, police allege the Jordanian national assaulted a crew member.

The flight landed safely about 8.30pm in Sydney, where waiting AFP officers arrested Alsaaydeh.

He was charged with two counts of endangering the safety of an aircraft, and one count of assaulting aircraft crew .

Alsaaydeh faced Parramatta Bail Court on Sunday, when his case was briefly mentioned.

He was remanded in custody to face the Downing Centre Local Court on April 9.

AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Davina Copelin said the man’s alleged behaviour on board could have had catastrophic consequences.

She said dangerous behaviour on aircraft would not be tolerated.

“The alleged actions of this man could have had tragic consequences, and passengers and aeroplane staff shouldn’t have to put up with unruly, violent, or dangerous behaviour on flights,” he said.

“The AFP will not hesitate to take action against people who engage in criminal behaviour on aeroplanes, especially where this behaviour has the potential to endanger the safety of passengers, crew or the flight itself.”

In a statement, AirAsia X said its cabin crew responded swiftly and took steps to protect everyone on board.

“At no time was the safety of guests or crew compromised,” the statement said. “AirAsia has a zero-tolerance policy for inappropriate behaviour of any kind.“

In an unrelated mid-air emergency, a Jetstar flight from Bali to Melbourne had to turn back last Monday when a female passenger tried to open a door.

Just one hour into the flight, the woman, who was reportedly unhappy with her seat, allegedly tugged at the emergency exit door, prompting the aircraft’s warning system to trigger.

The flight, with 260 passengers and crew onboard, was forced to turn back to Denpasar where passengers were put up for the night before boarding another aircraft the following day.

The woman was arrested in Denpasar, and later released by local authorities. She has been banned from travelling on Jetstar again.