A Bengaluru-Varanasi Air India Express flight witnessed a security incident on Monday when a passenger allegedly tried to open the cockpit while looking for the toilet. While confirming the incident, the airline said security protocols were not compromised and the matter has been reported to the concerned authorities.
Flight IX1086 took off from Bengaluru at 8 am on Monday and landed in Varanasi at around 10.30 am. In response to the incident, Air India Express said in a statement, "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," it added.
In a similar incident in June 2024, a 25-year-old man was arrested after he attempted to open the door of an Air India Express flight from Kozhikode to Bahrain, forcing an emergency landing in Mumbai. The man also allegedly assaulted cabin crew.
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