A cabin crew member from a South Korean low-cost airline is facing a hefty fine of nearly RM100,000 after climbing onto the wing of an aircraft to take photos while the flight was delayed due to bad weather.
According to Sinar Harian, flight 703, scheduled to depart for Jeju Island at 10:20 AM, was delayed for over an hour due to heavy snowfall in the area. During the delay at Cheongju International Airport, an Eastar Jet crew member reportedly opened the emergency exit window and climbed onto the aircraft's left wing to take pictures.
Under South Korea's Military Base and Facilities Protection Act, individuals who take photos without permission in restricted areas face up to three years in prison or a maximum fine of 30 million Won (RM92,000). Cheongju International Airport is a controlled military area, and unauthorized filming or photography is strictly prohibited.
Eastar Jet has denied claims that the emergency exit was opened solely for taking photos. The airline stated that the cabin crew member was instructed to open the emergency exit as part of a rarely conducted training exercise.
"The airline took advantage of the waiting time due to heavy snowfall to conduct emergency exit training, which is usually rare," an Eastar Jet official explained.
However, the airline acknowledged that the crew member's act of taking photos was inappropriate and assured that necessary action would be taken once the investigation is complete.
Source: Sinar Harian
