Passenger ‘who tried to open jet’s door’ in court

A PASSENGER accused of trying to open the door of a plane midway through a flight from the UK to Turkey appeared in court yesterday.

Chloe Haines, 26, of High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, allegedly assaulted a cabin crew member trying to restrain her during the Jet2 flight that had left Stansted airport in Essex on June 22.

Two RAF fighter jets were scrambled to meet the Airbus and escort it back.

After the incident, the airline said that it would be sending her an £85,000 bill and banning her from flying with it for life. Haines appeared before

Chelmsford magistrates yesterday, charged with one count of assault by beating and one count of recklessly or negligently acting in a manner likely to endanger an aircraft or person in an aircraft.

The charges relate to her allegedly causing a disturbance on the flight to Dalaman, which forced the pilot to return to Stansted, where Haines was arrested by Essex Police.

On board the flight, a cabin crew member allegedly suffered scratches as she tried to prevent Haines from opening the plane door.

In court, Haines, with her hair worn up and wearing a black top, spoke only to confirm her name, date of birth, address and British nationality. She did not enter pleas during the ten-minute hearing.

District Judge Timothy King granted Haines conditional bail on the grounds that she does not travel from any UK airport.

He sent her case to Chelmsford crown court, where she is due to appear on December 18.