Bengaluru-Varanasi Air India Express flight: An Air India Express passenger sparked alarm on Monday morning after trying to force his way into the cockpit. The traveller was handed over to the Central Industrial Security Force as soon as the Bengaluru-Varanasi flight landed. The incident had initially sparked hijacking concerns among the cabin crew and the incident is being treated as unruly behaviour of the highest level.
The passenger had reportedly been travelling in a group of eight — with some reports suggesting they had all been handed over to the CISF. Only one person from the group had tried to open the cockpit door. Such an action can land the traveller on the no fly list from a minimum of two years up to a lifetime.
Tried to open cockpit door
According to an earlier Times of India report, the group had entered the forward galley and one person tried to “punch some numbers” on the cockpit door lock. Officials confirmed that they had not been able to open the door but sparked alarm among the cabin crew. An airline official told the publication that the passenger had claimed he was a first-time flyer looking for the lavatory. He eventually returned to his seat after being asked to get away from the cockpit door.
“We are aware of media reports regarding an incident on one of our flights to Varanasi, where a passenger approached the cockpit entry area while looking for the lavatory. We reaffirm that robust safety and security protocols are in place and were not compromised. The matter was reported to the relevant authorities on landing and is currently under investigation,” an Air India Express spokesperson confirmed later.
How does the door mechanism work?
The cockpit is one of the most secure parts of the plane with a reinforced door that can be opened using an electronic lock. Anyone entering the cockpit would have to punch in the accurate code and then gain ‘approval’ from the pilots within the area. In some cases a lack of response from the pilots within a set time frame can trigger a short emergency override.