Algerian passenger breaks door, runs after plane at Istanbul Airport

ISTANBUL - Doğan News Agency

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An Algerian passenger at Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport broke the glass door of a passenger boarding bridge and began to run after a taxiing plane after he fell asleep in a waiting room.

Chiha Djallal, 29, had checked in for a Turkish Airlines plane bound for the Algerian city of Batna. After he completed his passport check process, he fell asleep in the waiting room and did not hear announcements that the flight was boarding. When he woke up, he realized the waiting room was empty and his plane was taxiing down the runway. In a panic, Djallal broke the glass door of the passenger boarding bridge and jumped to the ramp after forcing open the blinds of the bridge.

The ramp personnel caught Djallal as he was trying to run after the taxiing plane. He was then handed over to the airport police. 

Djallal said he had run after the plane because his family was waiting for him in Algeria and he had to go, and thus he had panicked. 

The airport police said they were investigating the incident.