A senior airline pilot, only years short of his retirement, had ‘just hit his breaking point' when he carried out a prolonged ax attack on a car park barrier that would not open.

United Airlines pilot Kenneth Jones, 63, has been suspended by his employers and charged with criminal mischief after flying off the handle at Denver International Airport in Colorado.

Airport video footage shows the uniformed pilot striding towards the barrier in the staff car park carrying an ax which he is thought to have had in his vehicle.

As motorists look on open-mouthed he vigorously swings the ax at the gate 23 times until it finally flips off its hinge, leaving the exit open.

Police deputies in Adams County say he told them he 'just hit his breaking point', and was ‘trying to get rid of issues for JetBlack everyone'.