A 35-year-old British man faces up to 12 years in prison after destroying ten self-service check-in kiosks at an airport in Hong Kong on February 16, 2026. The incident, which occurred shortly before 6:00 a.m., involved the man using a metal pole to systematically damage the machines after becoming frustrated with the airport’s ticketing system.
The Incident Unfolds
The man, who had been in Hong Kong since November, allegedly began by physically shoving kiosks until they tipped over. He then escalated the destruction by retrieving a metal pole and repeatedly striking the fallen equipment. The rampage caused significant damage, including shattered glass and bent metal barriers.
Airport staff intervened and alerted police, who apprehended the man at a nearby bus drop-off point.
Charges Filed
The suspect now faces multiple charges:
- Criminal Damage: Hong Kong law allows for up to 10 years imprisonment for severe property destruction.
- Illegal Possession of Viagra: Authorities also discovered the man possessed undeclared Viagra, a Part I poison under local regulations. This offense carries a maximum penalty of a HK$100,000 fine and two years imprisonment.
Rising Trend of Airport Violence
The incident adds to a growing pattern of passengers lashing out at airline check-in facilities. Similar cases include an incident in Mexico City where a woman vandalized airline computers and a JetBlue passenger destroying a JFK terminal after being denied a flight to Haiti. This suggests increasing frustration with air travel, combined with impulsive outbursts.
The Hong Kong airport has replaced the damaged kiosks, but the case highlights the potential for extreme reactions in high-stress travel environments.
The suspect’s combination of violent property destruction and illegal drug possession resulted in a severe legal predicament. The case illustrates the consequences of both public disorder and violating local pharmaceutical laws.
