A security scare unfolded on Monday aboard an Air India Express flight (IX-1086) from Bengaluru to Varanasi when a passenger attempted to open the cockpit door mid-air. The passenger, identified as Mr. Mani, later claimed he had mistaken the cockpit for a lavatory.
According to officials, Mani tried to access the cockpit by pressing the door’s security code panel, which triggered an alert and prompted the pilot and crew to treat the attempt as a possible hijack threat. The pilot immediately denied entry and informed Air Traffic Control of the situation, while cabin crew intervened. Mani reportedly told them that he was unfamiliar with the system as it was his first time flying.
On landing at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi, Mani and eight others from his travel group were taken into custody for questioning. They were later handed over to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Uttar Pradesh Police for further interrogation. Initial checks suggest the incident was accidental, though authorities are continuing their investigation.
Air India Express confirmed the matter in a statement, saying, “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.”
The incident comes just a day after another Air India flight from London to Delhi was delayed by two hours when a passenger’s boarding pass was stamped for entry but the individual never actually boarded the plane. The flight, which had begun taxiing, was forced to return to the gate for a fresh headcount and security clearance, causing major inconvenience to passengers.
