Airline uses martial arts to control rowdy passengers

Friday, 13 April 2012 1:15 PM

Have you ever misbehaved on a flight? Well, you better watch out - because one airline has started training its staff in martial arts, so they can give the chop to any unruly travellers.

Hong Kong Airlines began by teaching their cabin crews the art of Wing Chun - a self-defence which is perfect for aircrafts because the moves are designed for small, confined spaces. It is also the only form of martial arts developed by a woman and is designed to promote inner balance and core strength.

Now, due to the popularity of the three hour training sessions - which are completed in full uniforms to prepare staff for real life situations - the airline is considering rolling out the lessons to all of their staff.

Hong Kong Airlines' president Yang Jian Hong said: "Aside from the obvious physical, mental and safety benefits, this demonstrates our commitment to delivering exception passenger service.

"The initiative has proved so popular with our flight attendants that we are now offering the training to our internal staff."

Troublesome passengers on flights can be a real problem with everyone involved - in extreme cases flights can even be forced to ground because of the behaviour of one or two people. If the training system proves successful, then who knows how many airlines might consider adopting it?

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Next month on February 10, millions across Asia will be celebrating the Chinese New Year of the black water snake. The Chinese New Year is the biggest festival in the Chinese calendar, but is also celebrated in many other countries across the world. In Chinese tradition the year of the snake is said to bring steady progress and an astute awareness to details, while people born in the year of the snake are thought to be wise and enigmatic. Here are the best places to celebrate the Chinese New Year across the world.