An Air India flight.
Credit: Air India
Bengaluru: A passenger on board a Varanasi-bound Air India Express flight from Bengaluru on Monday attempted to enter the cockpit area midair while looking for the lavatory, but was unsuccessful.
The incident occurred on flight IX 1086, which took off from the Kempegowda International Airport's Terminal 2 at 8 am and landed in Varanasi at 10.27 am.
A well-placed source with the airline said, "The young male passenger, who claimed to be a first-time flyer, attempted to enter the passcode to enter the cockpit area, but was unsuccessful. It all happened in a fraction of a second, and our staff immediately escorted him back to his seat."
The airline has since classified the passenger a 'Level 3 Unruly Passenger', which applies to a passenger who partakes in life-threatening behaviour.
On no-fly list
"The cockpit is a sanitised zone, and any attempt to enter it is considered a safety breach.
"The passenger will be put on a no-fly list, and as protocol, we will also be sharing the information with other airlines. We also informed the authorities concerned immediately, and are cooperating with the investigation," he added.
"We reaffirm that robust safety and security protocols are in place and were not compromised," Air India Express said in a statement.
In Varanasi, officials said that CISF personnel detained the passenger and his eight companions as soon as their aircraft landed and handed them over to local Phoolpur police, where they were
interrogated.
All nine people are residents of Bengaluru and were visiting Varanasi for a
pilgrimage.