In a surprising turn of events, fellow passengers of an Aeromexico flight came to the defense of a fellow traveler who opened an emergency exit and walked onto the wing of the plane while it was parked at Mexico International Airport.

The incident occurred on Thursday, as the flight was waiting for takeoff to Guatemala. The airport confirmed that the passenger opened the emergency door while the aircraft was stationary at a remote position. He then proceeded to step onto the wing before re-entering the cabin, without causing any harm to the aircraft or anyone else onboard.

Remarkably, at least 77 passengers rallied behind the man, signing a handwritten statement that was shared online. The statement recounted the four-hour wait the passengers had to endure, with no ventilation or water, during the flight delay. They expressed their support for the individual who opened the emergency exit, stating that he took action "to protect everyone, with the support of everyone." According to the statement, the passengers believed that the delay and lack of air created health hazards, asserting that the man who opened the door "saved our lives."

Flight data from flightradar24 indicated that the scheduled departure time for flight AM762 was 8:45 a.m., but it did not leave the airport until 2:18 p.m. The delay was caused by a maintenance alert, leading the plane's captain to return to the gate, as stated in an incident report obtained by the Associated Press.

Authorities, who changed the plane as a result of the incident, have not released any comments regarding the matter. Representatives from Aeromexico have not responded to inquiries from Business Insider.

While incidents involving passengers opening emergency exits or venturing onto a plane's wing are rare, they are not unprecedented. In July, a passenger on an Air France flight attempted to open an emergency exit midair to test its functionality, resulting in his arrest. Similarly, in November 2023, a Southwest Airlines passenger jumped out of an emergency exit in Louisiana and caused panic among fellow passengers as he attempted to steal a nearby truck.

The latest incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by airlines in managing flight delays and the potential frustration it can cause among passengers. However, the surprising support shown by fellow travelers for the man who took matters into his own hands highlights the extent to which delays can impact the well-being of passengers and their willingness to take drastic actions.

Aeromexico and aviation authorities may now face scrutiny in addressing the concerns raised by this incident, with passengers demanding better communication, comfort, and overall passenger experience during such delays in the future.