On Monday at 8:40 PM, Air India flight AI 2957, carrying 126 passengers from New Delhi to Mumbai, sent an emergency signal to Delhi Air Traffic Control (ATC) indicating a possible hijacking.
Following security protocols, ATC promptly alerted Mumbai airport, security agencies, and the Indian Air Force (IAF). A high-level committee, including officials from Delhi Police, CISF, AAI, BCAS, and IAF, was convened to assess the situation.
A Delhi airport official stated that the aircraft’s transponder transmitted a ‘squawk 7500’ code, which signals an unlawful interference. The distress signal was sent immediately after takeoff, prompting an immediate response.
Although the pilot later informed ATC that it was a false alarm, authorities proceeded with caution. A former ATC official justified this approach, stating that authorities cannot assume the pilot is not under duress.
At 9:30 PM, Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport declared a full emergency, placing security forces, CISF personnel, and the National Security Guard (NSG) on high alert. When the flight landed safely at 9:47 PM, it was directed to an isolation bay. A thorough security inspection delayed passenger disembarkation by an hour to ensure all necessary checks were completed.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), along with BCAS and CISF, has launched an investigation to determine whether the false alarm resulted from technical malfunction or human error. Officials aim to clarify whether it was pilot error or a misinterpretation by ATC.
Squawk 7500 is a transponder code signaling a hijacking. Despite the pilot’s repeated assurances, security protocols require authorities to treat all emergency signals as genuine. The incident underscores the vigilance of Indian aviation security in addressing potential threats.
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