At first it sounds like a typical case of bad behavior aboard airplanes. The Mexico City International Airport acknowledged in a statement Friday that a man had opened an emergency exit and walked out on a wing of a plane that was parked and waiting for takeoff on Thursday. The airport said the man was turned over to police, per the AP. But dozens of fellow passengers signed a written copy of a statement saying the airline made them wait for four hours without ventilation or water while the flight was delayed. Per pics of the statement posted online, fellow passengers said the man acted "to protect everyone, with the support of everyone."
The airport said in a statement that "a passenger on a flight to Guatemala opened an emergency door on a plane while it was stationary at a remote position, stood on a wing, and then reentered the cabin, without affecting the aircraft or anyone else." "In line with international security regulations, this person turned himself over to the authorities," it said. At least 77 passengers aboard the Aeromexico flight to Guatemala signed a statement handwritten on notebook paper, photos of which were posted on social media, supporting the man's actions. "The delay and lack of air created conditions that endangered the health of the passengers. He saved our lives," according to the statement.
An incident report filed with airport authorities largely confirmed that version. "Around 11:37am, a Mexican airline reported the beginning of a disturbance due to passenger discontent on Flight AM672," according to the report. "The flight had been due to lift off at 8:45am Thursday, but because of a maintenance alert on the plane, the captain had to return to the gate for the required maintenance." "The passengers were unhappy and one of them opened the emergency door and stepped out on the wing," the report added. "This event required the plane to be changed."
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Airport authorities didn't identify the man, and they declined to comment on whether he remains in custody or faces charges. Flight tracking sites confirmed that flight AM672 to Guatemala City was delayed for four hours and 56 minutes on Thursday. A video apparently recorded aboard the flight showed passengers fanning themselves and asking a flight attendant for water. Aeromexico didn't immediately respond to an email request for comment. (More Aeromexico stories.)
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