South Korean Airlines to Implement Pre-Takeoff Warnings Following In-Flight Door Opening Incidents

South Korean airlines are set to introduce pre-takeoff warnings to passengers, aiming to prevent incidents involving the attempted opening of aircraft doors during flights. This new regulation follows a series of incidents where passengers have tried to open emergency exits while in the air.

The South Korean government has indicated that these guidelines are part of a draft amendment to the operating guidelines for airline operators, currently under review until December 14th. A public announcement is expected during this period, as reported by JoongAng.

It remains uncertain whether these rules will apply to foreign airlines operating flights to and from South Korea. The Independent has reached out to the Korea Office of Civil Aviation for further clarification.

The decision to issue these warnings comes in the wake of multiple cases where passengers attempted to open emergency exits while onboard flights. One such incident occurred in May when a passenger succeeded in opening an emergency door on an Asiana Airlines flight shortly before its arrival in Daegu. This resulted in injuries to twelve people, and the individual involved faced potential imprisonment for up to ten years under South Korea’s aviation security laws.

This ten-year penalty applies to any passengers who interfere with “plane entrances, emergency exits, or devices that hinder the security or operation of an aircraft.”

More recently, a woman was arrested for attempting to open an aircraft door during a flight from New York to Incheon. She was apprehended by cabin crew members and later tested positive for crystal meth.

Presently, South Korean airlines are required to make announcements warning passengers that actions such as smoking, specific use of electronic devices, or any activities impeding cabin crew duties may lead to arrest and prosecution.

Similar incidents have occurred worldwide throughout the year, including a plane door bursting open on a chartered flight in Brazil in June and a similar occurrence on a flight operated by Russian carrier IrAero in January.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, independent.co.uk