Cockpit door, a passcode and a first-time flier: Air India Express faces mid-flight scare. Here's what really happened

A passenger aboard an Air India Express flight from Bengaluru to Varanasi caused a momentary scare when he tried to open the cockpit door mid-flight on Monday (September 22). The airline clarified that the passenger, traveling on his first-ever flight, was merely searching for the lavatory when he mistakenly approached the cockpit entrance. The airline issued a statement emphasising that security measures were not breached and that the situation was handled according to standard protocols. A spokesperson for Air India Express confirmed that the incident had been reported to the relevant authorities and was under investigation.

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An Air India Express spokesperson said, “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. 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.”

The incident occurred on flight IX-1086. According to reports, the passenger, unaware of his error, claimed that he had confused the cockpit door with the lavatory. After the crew intervened and explained his mistake, he promptly returned to his seat without further incident. The passenger was handed over to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) for further procedures as per aviation safety norms.

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Several reports also suggested that the individual even attempted to input the correct passcode for the cockpit door. However, the cockpit crew, suspecting potential security concerns, quickly blocked his entry. This detail, though, could not be independently verified by WION. Interestingly, this incident followed another unusual occurrence the day before, involving a separate Air India flight. On that flight, a passenger's boarding pass was stamped for entry, but the individual never boarded the plane and wandered into the arrivals area. The aircraft, which had already begun to back away from the gate, was forced to return, causing a two-hour delay.