Carrier Says No Threat Of Terrorist Activity

The Dubai Public Prosecution charged an Emirates passenger with drinking and endangering aircraft and passenger safety, because he opened the emergency door while the aircraft was in motion at Dubai International Airport last week.

"While taxiing to the terminal building after landing at the Dubai International Airport on Thursday, an aircraft door on flight EK040 from Birmingham was opened by a passenger. This caused the emergency inflatable slides to automatically activate," said Sarah Shaughnessy, spokesperson for Emirates.

During the hearing at the Dubai Court of First Instance, a Canadian member of the cabin crew testified she went to the restroom after the plane landed.

"When I came out I was surprised seeing the accused trying to open the emergency door number five," she said. "I held the door's handle to try and prevent him from opening it but he didn't care and managed to open the door, making the emergency slide appear."

The crew managed to subdue and restrain the British passenger until authorities arrived.

None of the 300-plus passengers were injured but the aircraft was damaged in the incident, according to The Gulf News.

Emirates officials have ruled out the possibility this incident was part of a hijacking attempt or other such activity.

"The defendant's behavior endangered the plane ... The hot temperature from the running engine could have gutted the chute. The chute could have also hit the aircraft's body and caused plenty of damage, but the pilot was attentive and stopped the plane instantly," said a Jordanian chief engineer for the airline which owns the damaged plane.

FMI: www.emirates.com