Varanasi– A passenger on board a Varanasi-bound Air India Express flight from Bengaluru on September 22 approached the cockpit entry area mid-air, the airline said in a statement on Monday.
The airline clarified that the passenger had been looking for the lavatory and stressed that safety and security protocols remained intact. “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 airline noted.
Upon landing in Varanasi, CISF personnel detained the passenger along with eight of his companions and handed them over to Phoolpur police. SHO Praveen Kumar Singh said the man had attempted to open the cockpit door during the flight. “He was arrested on landing and handed over to us. All nine persons, residents of Bengaluru, had come to Varanasi for pilgrimage. They are being interrogated, and further action will be taken based on findings,” he added.
Further legal proceedings are currently underway.
