Authorities Probe Suspected Radar Glitch Following Diversion of Frankfurt–Delhi Flight.
Dubai: An Air India flight travelling from Frankfurt to New Delhi with 306 passengers and crew members arrived safely at its destination on Wednesday after a suspected false hijack alert prompted an emergency diversion to Jaipur. Investigators are now looking into whether a technical malfunction in the air traffic control system triggered the warning.
Flight AI2030, operated using a Boeing 787-9 aircraft, had 293 passengers and 13 crew members on board when air traffic controllers detected a Squawk 7500 signal, an internationally recognised aviation code used to indicate a potential hijacking or unlawful interference involving an aircraft.
The plane made a safe landing at Jaipur International Airport at approximately 9.35am on October 14, after which it was directed to a designated isolation area for mandatory security inspections.
All passengers were asked to leave the aircraft and undergo security screening before receiving clearance to board again.
According to Indian media reports, the flight resumed its journey from Jaipur at 2.37pm and subsequently arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi at 3.11pm.
Air Traffic Control System Being Investigated
Early reports indicated that the hijack warning may have been triggered when the pilot inadvertently entered the emergency transponder code.
However, subsequent reports quoting airline representatives and aviation authorities suggested that the flight crew had not transmitted the hijack signal.
Investigators are now exploring the possibility of a technical fault in an air traffic control radar system in Mumbai that may have generated the alert.
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is reviewing the ATC system to determine whether a technical malfunction was responsible for the incident.
The precise cause of the warning has not yet been confirmed, and the aviation regulator’s investigation remains underway.
Authorities Confirm No Genuine Hijacking Threat
Security officials clarified that the warning was a false alarm and that the aircraft had not been subjected to an actual hijacking attempt.
Air India stated that security personnel conducted the necessary inspections at Jaipur airport before clearing the aircraft and its crew to continue the journey.
The airline explained that the diversion was carried out as a precaution following a perceived security threat. Passengers were required to complete security checks before boarding the same aircraft again.
Passengers Describe Experience During Diversion
Passengers travelling on the flight said they were initially informed that the aircraft would be diverted because of security concerns, although the nature of the potential threat was not immediately disclosed.
Several travellers reported remaining inside the aircraft for approximately two hours after landing in Jaipur before being escorted to the airport terminal.
One passenger said the cabin crew continued to communicate with travellers and provide updates throughout the disruption.
Air India expressed regret over the inconvenience caused and said it had coordinated with the relevant authorities to reduce the impact on passengers.
Meanwhile, the DGCA has not yet published its final investigation findings, leaving the exact reason behind the false hijack alert undetermined.
