Frankfurt-Delhi Air India flight diverted to Jaipur after 'hijack threat'
What's the story
An Air India flight from Frankfurt to Delhi was diverted to Jaipur following a security alert over a suspected hijack threat. The aircraft, Flight AI 2030, landed safely at Jaipur International Airport. Preliminary reports indicated a bomb threat but an airport source clarified that it was a hijacking rumor. "It was a hijacking rumor, not a bomb threat," the source told Hindustan Times on condition of anonymity.
Diversion details
Passengers, crew evacuated safely
The flight was diverted as it neared Indian airspace, with Air Traffic Control and security agencies alerted.
After landing, the aircraft was taken to an isolation bay where Central Industrial Security Force personnel, local police, and Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad checked the plane and passengers' luggage.
All passengers and crew were safely evacuated to a holding area in the airport terminal.
Official response
Pilot activated squawk code 7500
According to preliminary information from a PTI source, the pilot activated Squawk Code 7500. This is an internationally recognized transponder code used to indicate hijacking or unlawful interference with the flight.
The activation of this code happened when the aircraft was in the Mumbai Flight Information Region (FIR), leading to its diversion to Jaipur.
The National Security Guard (NSG) has been put on standby in New Delhi as part of the heightened security measures.