Hijack fears disrupt Qatar flight

[rotornut]

Hijack fears disrupt Qatar flight

A Kuwaiti man is being questioned after he forcibly entered the cockpit of a Qatar Airways jet, causing it to make an unscheduled landing in Egypt.

An airline spokesman said the man had tried to hijack the plane, but reports quoting security officials said he had not tried to divert the aircraft.

The man had been talking incoherently, harassing passengers and arguing with the cabin crew, Reuters reported.

The man was arrested at Cairo airport, and the flight continued to Doha.

The aircraft was travelling from Casablanca in Morocco to Doha, via the Libyan capital, Tripoli.

'Unarmed and incomprehensible'

The man, 30-year-old Hamad Fahd Jassem, had argued with the flight crew about getting an upgrade from economy to business class, Reuters news agency said.

He then forced his way into the cockpit and began making "incomprehensible" remarks into the pilot's microphone, alarming the passengers.

Qatar Airways spokesman, Salam al-Shawa, said the man was planning to hijack the aircraft to Geneva, Switzerland.

Nehad Gamaleddin, a doctor who spoke to Mr Jassem in Cairo, quoted him as saying he experienced a choking sensation and uncontrollable movements after the plane took off from Tripoli.

Mr Jassem is reported to have told police he had asked the airline's crew for medical help, which he said they had refused.

He is not thought to have been carrying any weapons.

A Qatar Airways official said another Kuwaiti national travelling with the man had also been detained in Egypt.


Story from BBC NEWS:

[Human Factor]

He then forced his way into the cockpit ....

Q1) Do they fly into UK airspace?

Q2) Do they have a locked flight-deck door policy?

... or does Q2 only apply to British and US operators?


Standing well back and ducking.

[homesick rae]

Local Paper Gulf Times says:

Flight diverted after passenger disturbance

Staff Reporter

QATAR Airways flight QR553 heading from Casablanca to Doha was diverted to Cairo early yesterday after a passenger disturbance took place on board the aircraft, a spokesperson for the airline said.

"The flight was diverted as Qatar Airways accords top priority to the safety of its passengers," the spokesperson said in a statement issued in Doha.

The Doha-bound flight, carrying 92 passengers, was grounded in Cairo for about an hour and a half during which the troublemaker was offloaded for questioning by Egyptian authorities.

He was later released, after it was determined that the incident was the result of a mental illness, and he had meant no harm.

Earlier, agency reports said the passenger, an Arab, made an attempt to force his way into the cockpit as he wanted the pilot to take the aircraft to Geneva in Switzerland. The report said the attempt was foiled by cabin crew and the man was not carrying any weapon.

The man was accompanied by a friend who did not take part in the incident, the Qatar Airways official said.

The flight resumed its journey after the man was taken into custody by the Egyptian authorities for questioning and the plane landed safely in Doha at 10.25am yesterday, Salam al-Shawa, senior manager, marketing and communications, Qatar Airways, said.

"The safety and security of our passengers will always be our number one priority," the release quoted Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar al-Baker, as saying.

"Qatar Airways is the first airline in the world to pass the new International Air Transport Associations (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), passing it with 100% compliance," the release added.

[eal401]

Human Factor,

Yes they do fly into the UK, to LHR & MAN.

If they have a locked door policy they certainly do NOT observe it at all times, but that only seems to be on regional flights. A colleague has flown more than once with QR when the flight deck door has been left not just unlocked but open!

Wonder if AAB has sacked all the crew yet,the perfect excuse for him! :rolleyes: