Air India Express Passenger Attempts to Enter Cockpit Mid-Flight, Arrested on Landing

New Delhi: A passenger on board an Air India Express flight to Varanasi from Bengaluru, on Monday, caused a mid air scare when he approached the cockpit entry area and tried to open it. Anticipating a hijack attempt, the pilots, reportedly, locked the cockpit from inside to deny him entry.

Later, it was found that the passenger had boarded a flight for the first time and he approached the cockpit area assuming it to be a lavatory. He went back to his seat when the cabin crew informed the passenger that he was trying to open the cockpit door.

However, the matter was reported to the relevant authorities, the passenger was handed over to CISF at Varanasi airport and an investigation into the incident is on. The passenger was flying in a group.

"We are aware of reports of 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,” Air India Express said in a statement.