A Canadian man has pleaded not guilty at Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney court after he was charged over an alleged attempt to open an emergency exit door while drunk on an international flight earlier this month.
Rahulreet Singh Mann, 33-year-old, entered the plea of not guilty to a single charge of threatening the safety of an aircraft in breach of the Civil Aviation Act 1988.
The AFP charged Mr Mann after arriving at Sydney Airport on a flight from Vancouver, Canada, on 14 May 2024.
AFP alleged that another passenger noticed Mr Mann attempting to open the emergency exit door about two hours into the flight and pulled him away.
Airline staff moved Mr Mann to a seat at the aircraft’s rear and supervised him for the remainder of the flight.
The AFP alleged that Mr Mann was intoxicated at the time of the incident.
AFP Detective Inspector Dom Stephenson said the AFP was committed to supporting airport staff and ensuring all travellers experienced a safe journey from their departure to their arrival at their destination.
“The AFP and our aviation partners have no tolerance for antisocial, violent or dangerous behaviour and we will take action. Passengers expect to feel safe and should not have to witness or endure intoxication or reckless behaviour.”
The AFP responded to a request to meet the flight at the arrivals gate at Sydney International Airport. Police arrested Mr Mann and charged him with one count of threatening the safety of aircraft, contrary to section 24 (1)(b)(ii) Civil Aviation Act 1988 (Cth).
Mr Mann remains on bail to appear back in court on July 8, 2024, where he faces a maximum financial penalty of $5,000, imprisonment or both. As part of his bail conditions, he was ordered to surrender his passport and cease entering any international airport.
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