Air India Express Passenger Tries To Enter Flight Cockpit, Says He Was Looking For The Loo

A file photo of an Air India aircraft (PTI)

A passenger on an Air India Express flight from Bengaluru to Varanasi attempted to enter the cockpit. After the aircraft landed in Varanasi, he approached the cockpit under the pretext of using the washroom and tried to get inside.

The crew stopped him, and the police are now questioning the passenger, confirmed an Air India spokesperson on Monday.

“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,” the spokesperson said.

“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,” added the spokesperson.

The passenger was travelling along with eight others, all of whom were handed over to the CISF. Only one of them tried to open the cockpit door.

The cockpit doors of all aircraft are secured with a password, known only to the captain and crew. Had the door not been password-protected, the passenger could have entered the cockpit.

All passengers were questioned, after which the airline clarified that the man was a first-time flyer and posed no security threat to the aircraft. The passenger also did not attempt to enter any password.