Passenger charged over alleged mid-air exit door scare

A man has been charged after allegedly trying to open emergency exit doors and assaulting cabin crew members on a passenger jet bound for Australia.

The flight from Kuala Lumpur to Sydney was airborne on Saturday when the Jordanian passenger attempted to open the rear emergency exit, police say.

The 46-year-old was escorted to a seat in the middle of the aircraft but then tried to open another emergency door.

An airline staff member was assaulted as crew and passengers restrained the man, police allege.

Australian Federal Police officers met the jet after it touched down at Sydney Airport on Saturday night and arrested the allegedly unruly passenger.

He was expected to appear before court on Sunday and could face up to 10 years in prison after being charged with two counts of endangering the safety of an aircraft and one count of assaulting aircraft crew.

AFP Sydney Airport commander Detective Acting Superintendent Davina Copelin said the man's alleged behaviour could have had tragic consequences.

"Passengers and airplane staff shouldn't have to put up with unruly, violent or dangerous behaviour on flights," she said.

"The AFP will not hesitate to take action against people who engage in criminal behaviour on airplanes, especially where this behaviour has the potential to endanger the safety of passengers, crew or the flight itself."

AirAsia X later confirmed the "disruptive" guest was on board flight D7220 from Kuala Lumpur.

"Our cabin crew, who are professionally trained to respond to such situations, took all necessary steps to ensure the safety of everyone on board," the airline said in a statement.

"At no time was the safety of guests or crew compromised.

"AirAsia has a zero tolerance policy for inappropriate behaviour of any kind and as per procedure alerted the AFP and relevant authorities to meet the aircraft on arrival in Sydney.

"The matter is now with the relevant authorities and as such, we are unable to comment further."

The incident comes after a Jetstar flight from Bali to Melbourne was forced to turn back on Monday after a woman attempted to open a cabin door.

The woman lifted the door handle early in the flight before a warning signal alerted the crew.

She was arrested at Denpasar Airport and banned from flying with Jetstar.

A New Zealand man was also banned and charged after allegedly assaulting a Qantas staff member and two other people at Sydney Airport on Tuesday.