An investigation has been launched by China’s aviation authority after passengers breached security and erupted into anger at two of the country’s key airports.
Air travelers invaded the tarmac at Guangzhou Baiyun and Shanghai Pudong airports after bad weather disrupted flights causing long delays and resulting in knock-on backlogs.
The latest copycat-like incident at Baiyun on April 13 saw an unknown number of Hainan Airline passengers enter the tarmac disrupting flight movements after heavy rain and thunderstorms loomed over the airport for much of the day.
Xinhua reported more than 100 flights were grounded and 180 planes were affected by the weather at Baiyun Airport last Friday.
The first incident on April 11 saw 28 passengers from Shenzhen Airlines storm the tarmac at Shanghai Pudong showing their anger at storm-related delays.
Passengers block an Ethiad Airways jet at Pudong
The photo (above) of the incident posted on Shanghaiist.com shows a group of Shenzhen Airlines passengers, circled, standing in front of an Ethiad Airways flight at Pudong, preventing the plane from approaching the gate. The passengers were finally lured from their protest with RMB1,000, however, it’s reported those who took part have been punished for breaching security.
As a result, passengers are being warned to show restraint in the future, and airport authorities have been told to act faster to respond to delayed planes and irate travelers.
Image courtesy of german.china.org.cn.