A spate of recent plane crashes in both Canada and the United States have put aviation safety in the spotlight, with one expert saying airlines should take “seriousness” when faced with misbehaving passengers. .
U.S. aircraft manufacturer Boeing Co. continues to face multiple investigations following the mid-air explosion on an Alaska Airlines plane earlier this month, but Air Canada flights have been carrying passengers over the past two weeks. Several unrelated and bizarre instances of attempts to open cabin doors occurred. .
A passenger on an Air Canada flight from London to Toronto on Sunday allegedly tried to open the plane’s door during the flight, the airline and police said. No criminal charges were filed.
On January 8, another passenger on an Air Canada flight from Toronto to Dubai opened the cabin door before takeoff and fell onto the tarmac, injuring himself and causing a lengthy delay. Air Canada said it continues to investigate the incident.

John Gradek, a lecturer in McGill University’s aviation management program, said such cases, which would be a violation of Canadian law, are “very rare.”
He said cabin doors should only be operated by flight attendants, unless assistance is needed from passengers sitting in emergency exit rows.
“As an industry, we’re basically very clear that the (plane) doors should not be opened (by passengers). Stay away from those doors.”
Gradec said flight attendants are trained to monitor doors and manage passengers who may pose a safety risk during the flight.
Air Canada told Global News on Tuesday that the two events that took place this month are “very different and unrelated.”
“In both cases, our approved safety and handling processes were followed correctly,” the airline said, adding that it constantly reviews its measures, including after the incident, as part of its continuous improvement approach. Ta.
What are the penalties for opening the airplane door?
Interfering with the performance of flight crew duties, including opening and closing cabin doors, is punishable under Canadian law and can result in heavy fines and jail time.
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Any person who commits any act that endangers the safety or security of an aircraft in flight or of any person on board an aircraft in flight may be prosecuted and, upon conviction, fined up to $100,000 or imprisoned for five years. , or both may be imposed.to canada Aviation law.
Airlines can also take their own measures to penalize passengers.
A WestJet spokesperson said: “In the event of an attempt to tamper with an aircraft door, WestJet will contact law enforcement authorities to investigate and, if necessary, file appropriate criminal and aviation law violations.”
“Additionally, WestJet Group security personnel may also choose to impose additional travel sanctions as appropriate.”

The Calgary-based airline continues to take a “zero-tolerance approach” to any disruptive or unruly behavior that may impact the safety and security of its guests, employees or operations. told Global News.
The airline industry has seen an “extraordinary increase” in the number of unruly passengers in recent years, which can be “disruptive” and airlines are “quite lax” in responding to most of these cases, Gradek said. said.
“Airlines need to start getting serious about diverting their aircraft, and if they find themselves in a situation where the cabin of that aircraft is threatened by a passenger, the captain in charge of that aircraft should be able to take action against arrest or for safety reasons. “We have the final say on whether the plane has to be taken down,” Gradek said.
“Airlines will therefore need to change their attitude.”

Gradek said that when a plane is flying at high altitude, the cabin is pressurized, making it difficult, if not impossible, to actually open the door.
However, when on the ground, these doors are only intended to be opened and closed by airline staff to load catering supplies and other equipment, he added.
If the plane is flying above 1,000 feet or 1,200 feet, it will be “more difficult” to open the cabin door.
Air Canada notes that aircraft doors cannot be opened at high altitude because “the door is designed to act as a plug that uses the difference in pressure between the inside and outside to form a secure seal.” Stated.

In May 2023, passengers on an Asiana Airlines flight opened an emergency exit door about 700 feet above the ground, causing air to rush into the cabin and injuring 12 people.
“That’s probably close to the threshold between being able to open the door and not being able to open it,” Gradek said.
— With files from Gabby Rodrigues and Ainsley Smith of Global News and The Associated Press.
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