Bengaluru: Panic briefly gripped passengers aboard Air India Express flight IX-1086 from Bengaluru to Varanasi on Monday after a passenger allegedly attempted to open the cockpit door mid-air. The airline later clarified that the incident was not a security breach but a case of mistaken identity by a first-time flyer.
Passenger mistook cockpit for lavatory
According to airline officials, the man, whose identity has not been disclosed, approached the cockpit entry area believing it to be the lavatory door. Cabin crew immediately intervened and informed him that he had mistakenly tried to open the wrong door. The passenger quietly returned to his seat.
“When asked why he did so, he said he wanted to use the lavatory and thought it was the same door,” a source told Hindustan Times.
Airline statement
Air India Express issued a statement reaffirming that safety protocols were not compromised during the incident.
“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,” a spokesperson for the airline said.
The man was handed over to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) upon landing, as per protocol.
Reports of passcode entry attempt
A report in the Economic Times claimed that the passenger even entered the correct passcode for the cockpit door, and that one of the pilots had to block his entry, fearing a hijack attempt. However, this claim has not been independently verified.
Another Air India incident
The cockpit confusion comes just a day after another Air India flight, from London to Delhi, was delayed for over two hours due to a passenger mix-up. In that case, a traveller’s boarding pass was stamped, but the person did not board the flight and instead wandered into the arrivals area. The plane, which had already started backing away from the gate, had to return before take-off.
Investigation underway
Authorities are now investigating Monday’s incident, particularly the conflicting reports about whether the passenger managed to use a cockpit passcode. Security experts have emphasised that even unintentional actions near sensitive areas like the cockpit can create major risks and should be treated seriously.
For now, officials maintain that no breach of security occurred and that the safety of passengers and crew was never compromised.