MIANYANG CITY, CHINA – Every once in a while, we all need to stop and take a breather. But for one airline passenger onboard low-cost carrier Lucky Air, taking a breather has set him back a hefty $20,000.

According to the South China Morning Post, a 25-year-old male passenger, who is identified only by the surname Chen, had opened the emergency exit upon landing at Nanjiao Airport in Mianyang City because he thought the cabin was “too stuffy and hot”. Chinese authorities report that Chen had “waited in the aisle for 10 minutes as passengers left the plane”, and in a hurry to get some fresh air he then lifted the latch on the emergency exit.

This, of course, prompted the door to fall off the plane and activated the evacuation slide.

Chen was immediately arrested by airport police and was eventually detained by the Mianyang Public Security Bureau, who questioned him for 15 days.

Meanwhile, Mianyang City’s civil aviation administration estimated that Chen’s foolish actions caused major flight delays and led to costs of up to 100,000 Yuan (approximately Can$20,000). The bill could become even higher since the incident may have damaged the plane’s evacuation slide.

What will now happen to Chen? After being released, he was reportedly fined 70,000 Yuan (Can$14,000) to cover Lucky Air’s costs. Now that’s one expensive breath of fresh air.