Korean Air is to allow its staff to “readily” use tasers on unruly passengers after receiving criticism from US singer Richard Marx for the way it handled an on-board incident.
The airline announced tough new measures after Marx was forced to step in and help restrain a violent passenger during a flight from Hanoi, Vietnam, to Seoul in South Korea last week.
The singer later criticised Korean Air staff for “not knowing how to handle a situation like this without passenger interference” and said they were “clueless and ill-trained” to deal with the “psycho” passenger who had assaulted passengers and crew.
The airline has now announced new guidelines, including the use of stun guns “in a fast and efficient manner”. Previously crew members were only allowed to use the weapons in “grave” situations in which the life of a passenger or staff member was in danger.
The South Korean airline said staff would also undergo more comprehensive security training. Passengers with a history of violence will be banned from flying and at least one male crew member will be on board each flight.
In a statement it said: “We have decided to improve our conditions and procedure on using Taser guns to cope with violent acts and disturbances on board in a fast and efficient manner.”
A spokesman said regulations would be relaxed to allow crew members to “readily use stun guns”.
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