Air India Flight Threatens Hijack, Passengers Safe
Kolkata, November 11: An Air India flight faced a hijack threat on Wednesday after a threatening note was discovered onboard. The aircraft was isolated at the airport, and fortunately, all passengers are reported safe. Authorities have initiated a thorough inspection of the plane. The flight was en route from Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, to Mumbai.
According to media reports, the flight was diverted to an isolation bay early Wednesday morning due to a security alert. A note was found on the aircraft, prompting security agencies to respond immediately, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) were implemented.
Discovery of the Threatening Note
As reported by IANS, sources from the Mumbai police indicated that a threatening note was found on the aircraft, which was ready for takeoff at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. The note allegedly warned of a hijack. The pilot promptly informed Air Traffic Control (ATC) before the flight commenced. All passengers were safely evacuated from the plane.
Vikram Singh, the Director of Kolkata Airport, confirmed that the threatening note stated the plane would be hijacked at 11:10 AM. The note was discovered in the restroom before the flight’s departure. Following this, all passengers were disembarked and taken to a safe area.
Previous Hijack Threats
According to PTI, a similar hijack alert was reported in October involving an Air India flight from Frankfurt to Delhi, which was later diverted to Jaipur Airport. Officials determined that the hijack alert was a ‘false alarm,’ and after thorough security checks, the flight continued to Delhi with its passengers.
Sources revealed that the Boeing 787-9 aircraft, operating as flight AI 2030, made an emergency landing in Jaipur and was taken to an isolation bay for security checks. The plane was carrying 293 passengers and 13 crew members.
Squawk Code Indicating Hijack
Sources indicated that while the flight was in the Mumbai airspace, the pilot activated ‘Squawk Code 7500,’ which signals unlawful interference. It was later clarified that the activation of Code 7500 was due to a technical glitch, and there was no real threat of hijacking.
Air India issued a statement confirming that relevant security agencies conducted necessary investigations and cleared the aircraft and crew for flight. All passengers were safely disembarked, screened, and subsequently re-boarded the aircraft.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.