Slappy landings?
An elderly passenger has been placed on the no-fly list after slapping a flight attendant who inadvertently bumped into her midflight, as seen in shocking footage.
The in-flight assault occurred on April 3 aboard a Tigerair Taiwan flight from Fukushima, Japan, to Taipei, Taiwan, Jam Press reported.
As flight IT753 had started making its descent, the pilot instructed passengers to remain seated with their seatbelts fastened.
However, the 71-year-old passenger, identified by her surname Zhang, decided to ignore the advisory and stand up in the aisle so she could put her shoes on.
The 33-year-old flight attendant, surnamed Liu, was walking down the aisle to do her final safety checks when she inadvertently knocked into the senior.
This caused Zhang to become agitated and start laying into the crew, local media reported.
Hoping to calm the situation, the flight attendant apologized and offered her ice packs and medical assistance, but to no avail as the passenger continued her tirade.
“The flight attendant asked if she needed a doctor, and she said it wasn’t serious, but she continued yelling,” recalled one fly-witness, who commended the crew member for her professionalism.
That’s when Zhang decided to get physical.
Footage shows the moment that the incensed senior slapped the flight attendant in the face, prompting her colleague to cry out in shock.
The attack didn’t fly with the crewmembers, who immediately alerted the police at the destination.
Upon arrival at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, authorities from the Aviation Police Bureau boarded the plane and apprehended Zhang.
Coincidentally, both the flight attendant and the slap-happy senior declared that they’re pressing assault charges against one another while the crew member said she intends to also sue her attacker over public insult.
Tigerair Taiwan condemned the attack in a statement and pledged to provide legal aid to their embattled employee.
“Tigerair Taiwan expresses the strongest condemnation against such behavior that seriously violates employee dignity and personal safety,” declared an airline spokesperson. “We will fully defend our colleagues’ legal rights and have appointed lawyers to assist the staff involved. The safety of crew members on duty is closely related to flight safety.”
The carrier has permanently blacklisted Zhang from flying with them while authorities are investigating the incident.
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