A Chinese couple have been punished with a five-day detention for breaking into the apron field in Beijing Capital International Airport last week and standing in front of a plane, trying to catch the flight they had missed, the airport police said.

The incident took place at 9am on September 14 when the couple knocked down the airport's security staff and rushed into the restricted apron area to prevent an Air China’s Flight CA1519 to Shanghai from taking off.

The wife stood in front of the tow truck of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner with her luggage when the aircraft has left the boarding bridge to taxi to the runway, according to the airport police.

She ignored the warnings of security guards and threatened the crew members on the aircraft to let her and her husband get onto the plane, the airport authority said.

The passengers missed the flight because they failed to hear the boarding broadcast and were still waiting at the terminal building when the boarding ended, according to Air China.

When they rushed to the boarding gate, the aircraft was already about to taxi, the nation’s flagship carrier said.

They then broke into apron field.

Several Air China officials arrived later to persuade the couple to leave but failed. The female said 'there's no way the plane could fly without taking her onboard", while her husband also tried to persuade the officials to allow them get on, the airline said.

However, the captain and crew disagreed to open the cabin gate to let them get onboard.

The airport police then arrived 20 minutes later and held the female passenger who was screaming and crying when confronting the police.

They were detained for five days for disturbing public order at airport. The aircraft resumed operation with its takeoff being delayed for 20 minutes.

No investigation regarding the airport's ground security duties is mentioned by the authority.

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