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Flight from Manchester delayed after passenger mistakes emergency exit for toilet door

cde.news desk · 1 min read
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epa04335880 People gather around a grounded passenger aircraft donated by Pakistan International Airlines as they celebrate the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr in Lahore, Pakistan, 30 July 2014. Muslims around the world are celebrating the Eid-al-Fitr festival, which marks the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. EPA/OMER SALEEM

A flight from Manchester was delayed for almost eight hours when a confused passenger opened an emergency exit after mistaking it for the toilet door.

The Pakistan International Airways (PIA) PK702 flight to Islamabad was nearly ready to depart when the woman grasped for the wrong door, launching the emergency evacuation slide.

The startled passenger told airline staff she thought the door was for the toilet. The airline and Manchester airport confirmed the details of the incident.

Officials in Pakistan blamed a shortage of airline staff for allowing the emergency exit door to be opened, according to the English-language newspaper Express Tribune.

The flight carrying nearly 400 passengers eventually left Manchester at 5am on Saturday. It arrived in Islamabad seven hours late having made up some time during the journey. Several other departures from Manchester were also delayed as a result of the disruption.

Via The Guardian / Express Tribune

Topics AviationIslamabadManchesterPakistan International AirwaysPK702