Air India Express scare: Why a flier tried to enter the airplane’s cockpit

An Air India Express flight from Bengaluru to Varanasi ended in a security scare on Monday, when a passenger tried to open the cockpit door after the aircraft had landed.

According to the airline, the man approached the cockpit once the plane was on the ground and attempted to get inside. The cabin crew stopped him immediately.

He was later questioned by officials following the incident, an Air India Express spokesperson confirmed on Monday.

But what exactly led to the scare, and what are the rules around cockpit access? Here’s what we know

Why did the passenger attempt to enter cockpit?

The Air India Express flight IX-1086 had taken off from Bengaluru just after 8 am and landed in Varanasi around 10:30 am. Once the aircraft was on the ground, a passenger walked up to the cockpit door and tried to open it, according to sources quoted by NDTV.

Officials later clarified that the man had made a mistake—he thought the cockpit door was the entrance to the lavatory.

The passenger, who was travelling with eight others, was handed over to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) along with the group. Only one of them had actually tried to open the cockpit door.

After questioning, the airline confirmed that the man was a first-time flyer who posed no security threat to the aircraft. Importantly, he did not attempt to enter any password or force his way inside.

Cockpit doors are always secured with a password system known only to the captain and crew. If it weren’t for this security feature, the passenger might have been able to step inside by mistake.

Sources added that the passenger has now been handed over to the police and could be placed on a no-fly list as a precaution.

Incidents like this are not entirely new. In June 2024, a 25-year-old man was arrested after attempting to open the cockpit door of an Air India Express flight from Kozhikode to Bahrain, which forced the plane to make an emergency landing in Mumbai.

In that case, the passenger also allegedly assaulted cabin crew, highlighting the potential risks of cockpit security breaches.

Also read: Are Indian men the worst flyers? They take ‘secret photos, make creepy comments’ on planes

Rules to enter an airplane’s cockpit

The cockpit is the heart of an aircraft, and access to it is tightly controlled. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), only certain people are allowed inside:

-Operating pilots and cabin crew

-Officials from aviation and meteorology departments: This includes the DGCA, India Meteorological Department, or Ministry of Civil Aviation, but only during inspections or official duties and with prior permission.

-Employees of the airline: Off-duty pilots, cabin crew, maintenance staff, or other officials can enter, but only if the captain allows it and their presence is essential for operations.

-Representatives from the aircraft manufacturer: They can be allowed in for monitoring in-flight operations or equipment checks, again with the captain’s permission.

-Other individuals authorised by the DGCA: Any exceptions are strictly controlled and documented.

These rules were laid out in a 2019 DGCA circular, which also added that anyone entering the cockpit must undergo pre-flight and post-flight breathalyser tests to ensure they are not under the influence of alcohol.

Also read: IndiGo passenger tries to enter cockpit to charge mobile phone, thrown out of aircraft

What did the airline say about the incident?

Air India Express did not go into the full details of the incident but reassured that its safety protocols were never compromised.

“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 statement said.

With input from agencies