Korean Air: promises that tampering with an aircraft’s emergency exit would not be tolerated

Korean Air: In an effort to improve aviation safety, Korean Air said on Monday that it would implement a zero tolerance policy for passengers who tamper with aircraft emergency exits and that it will pursue criminal charges against anyone who do so.

The nation’s flag carrier said that it is reacting to an increase in these kinds of accidents, which are a major risk to the safety of flights. According to Yonhap news agency, 14 instances of exit tampering or attempted tampering have occurred in the last two years, according to Korean Air.

The business pointed out that despite increased awareness since a well-publicized Asiana Airlines incident in 2023 when a customer unlocked an escape door during the flight, unapproved tampering with exit doors has persisted.

According to South Korea’s Aviation Security Act, passengers are not allowed to touch aircraft doors, exits, or onboard equipment. Violators face up to ten years in jail.

According to Korean Air, it would pursue civil reparations for real losses, bar offenders from flying, and report all such instances for criminal prosecution.

Over 16 million passengers have been flown by Korean Air so far this year, with Tokyo being the most frequently visited destination for outgoing travelers.

In 2025, Korean Air flew 280 million kilometers, or 560,000 round trips, between Mount Baekdu and Mount Halla, two of Korea’s most famous peaks that stretch from the far north to the far south, according to the company’s year-end report, which was based on data from January 1 to November 10.

The number of passengers reached 16.49 million, with 40% of the passengers being in their 30s and 40s and 30% being in their 50s and 60s.

Thirty-five percent of all passengers were foreign nationalities, of whom twenty-four percent were Americans and twenty-four percent were Chinese.

The most frequent passenger flew 216 times this year, 5,192 unaccompanied youngsters used Korean Air’s children aid program, and about 32,000 pets were sent abroad, according to the study.