Air India Flight to Mumbai Hits Security Alert After ‘Hijack’ Warning

On Monday at 8:40 pm, Air India flight AI 2957, departing from New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi airport and heading to Mumbai, sent an emergency signal to air traffic control (ATC) in the capital, indicating a potential hijacking.

The Delhi ATC swiftly activated a protocol that involved notifying the destination airport, security agencies, and the Indian Air Force. A central committee included representatives from the Delhi police, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), responsible for airport security, the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), and the Air Force.

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Air India Official Says No Crew Involvement, Points to Possible Technical Error

Even though the pilot notified ATC that it was a false alarm, the protocol remained in place. A former ATC official, speaking anonymously, questioned, “How can ATC be sure the pilot isn’t forced to report that everything is fine? What if someone is pressuring him and making him say that?”

The flight, carrying 126 passengers, landed in Mumbai at 9:47 pm, and authorities were ready. A Mumbai airport official, speaking anonymously, explained, “According to protocol, we formed an aerodrome committee, and declared a full emergency at the airport around 9:30 pm. Local police, other stakeholders, and the National Security Guard (NSG) deployed.”

The official stated that authorities directed the aircraft to an isolation bay, and allowed passengers to disembark only after an hour, once they confirmed that everything was secure.

A Delhi airport official, speaking anonymously, revealed that the incident began when “the aircraft’s transponder transmitted a ‘squawk 7500’ code to the Delhi ATC right after takeoff.” They said that the signal lasted for three minutes.

Squawk codes are four-digit numbers, from 0000 to 7777, programmed into an aircraft’s transponder. These codes serve as unique identifiers, helping air traffic control units differentiate between various aircraft.

DGCA, BCAS, and CISF Launch Investigation Into False Hijack Alert

In ATC terminology, the codes 7500, 7600, and 7700 designate emergencies. Squawk 7600 signals a radio communication failure, while 7700 indicates an aircraft-related emergency. Squawk 7500, however, signals unlawful interference, meaning a hijacking.

Aviation ministry officials stated that the airline reported the incident, and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), along with BCAS and CISF, has launched an investigation. “The investigation will determine the cause of the false alert. Whether it was due to pilot error or a misinterpretation by the air traffic controller will only be clear once the probe is complete,” said a ministry official, speaking anonymously.

An Air India spokesperson was unavailable for comment. However, an airline official with knowledge of the incident stated, “There is no evidence suggesting any crew involvement. It may have been a technical error, and the DGCA will reveal the full details after completing its investigation.

A second ministry official added, “The pilot became aware of the false alert after takeoff and informed the local ATC that the flight was operating normally and had not been hijacked.”

The official, speaking anonymously, also said, “Once the alert issues, all involved parties must follow protocol and prepare for the worst.”

Upon landing, the Mumbai airport official said, “The pilot continuously affirmed that the plane was not hijacked and that it was a routine flight.”

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