Couple detained for sitting on runway, blocking flight in Beijing

A woman tries to persuade staff of the Beijing Capital International Airport to let her board a plane by standing on the ground of the airport runway because she missed her flight on Sept 14, 2016. [Photo from WeChat]

A couple who forced their way onto a runway and delayed a flight on Wednesday after missing the last boarding call will be detained for five days, reported Beijing Youth Daily.

The flight, CA1519 from Beijing to Shanghai, was due to take off at 9:30 am but was delayed for about 20 minutes as the couple refused to listen to crew members and blocked the runway until they were taken away by police.

They claimed that they missed the flight because they were not informed about the boarding time, but their allegation proved to be false as the departure time and boarding time were both printed on the ticket and broadcast through the airport announcement service.

According to law, severe violators like them who blocks runway or disrupts flight departure can be detained for five to 10 days and fined 500 yuan ($75).