Air India Express Hijack Scare: Passenger Mistakes Cockpit for Lavatory on Bengaluru-Varanasi Flight

A passenger on an Air India Express flight from Bengaluru to Varanasi attempted to force open the cockpit door mid-flight, causing a security scare. The pilot-in-command suspected a hijack attempt and immediately alerted security agencies. Crew members restrained the individual until the plane landed safely at Varanasi airport, where Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel took the man into custody for questioning.

Security Protocols and Investigation

An Air India Express spokesperson addressed media reports about the incident, stating that the passenger approached the cockpit area while searching for the lavatory. They assured that safety protocols were intact and not compromised. The matter was reported to authorities upon landing and is under investigation. The airline emphasised its commitment to maintaining robust safety measures on all flights.

In another incident involving Air India Express, a flight from Bengaluru to Gwalior faced challenges during landing. Carrying 160 passengers, it failed to land on its first attempt on Saturday but succeeded on the second try. The airline described this as a "go-around followed by a safe and uneventful landing." Despite initial panic among passengers, technical staff found no faults with the aircraft after inspection.

Passenger Reactions and Official Statements

The failure to land initially caused brief panic among passengers, according to Gwalior airport director A K Goswami. He explained that such occurrences are normal in aviation. Some passengers lodged complaints with airport and airline officials after deboarding. However, Goswami reassured that these situations are handled with standard procedures to ensure safety.

The aircraft later departed for Bengaluru without further issues, reaching its destination safely.