In what situations are passengers permitted to open emergency exits on flights?

We have taken you through numerous safety measures on an aircraft, including why seats are kept upright, tray tables are stowed, and window shades are kept open during takeoff and landing. We have also debunked myths like whether a particular seat is the safest. Continuing, we decided to understand under what circumstances passengers can/or are allowed to open the emergency exit.
'Passengers can open the emergency exit during an emergency evacuation only when instructed by the cabin crew. They should familiarise themselves with the exit location and its operation, and follow cabin crew instructions for opening and evacuation procedures,' said Dhairyashil Vandekar, an aviation expert and analyst.
According to Vandekar, emergency exits are designed to be operable even in extreme conditions, such as after a crash or fire. 'Some aircraft emergency exits are also equipped with slide deployment systems to facilitate rapid evacuation. The design and operation of emergency exits are strictly regulated by the aviation authorities to ensure safety standards are met,' said Vandekar.
Notably, the number of emergency exits on a plane varies depending on its size and seating capacity. While larger planes have multiple exits on each side, smaller planes may have fewer. The number and type of exits are according to safety regulations to ensure the timely evacuation of the passengers.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation has issued CAR (Civil Aviation Requirements) Section 8 Series 0 Part VIII, which stipulates the guidelines for announcement, passenger briefing in-person and passenger safety briefing card regarding the usage of the emergency exit in the event of an emergency, mentions that cabin crew members on board the aircraft brief the passengers regarding emergency exits during safety demonstration. In addition, the passenger seated next to the emergency exit is briefed in person regarding the operation of the emergency exit in the event of an emergency, where a crew member is not available to assist.
In their interest, Vandekar emphasised that passengers should pay close attention to the safety briefing provided by the cabin crew and familiarise themselves with the location, operation, and any specific instructions for emergency exits, as this will enhance their safety in the event of an emergency.
Notably, a passenger safety briefing card is also provided in pictographic form at each passenger seat to supplement oral briefings. The card describes when and how to operate an emergency exit.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to.

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