At 8:40 pm on Monday, Air India’s Mumbai-bound flight AI 2957, departing from New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Airport, triggered an emergency hijack alert. The aircraft sent a “squawk 7500” code, signaling potential unlawful interference or a hijacking to air traffic control (ATC) in Delhi.
Emergency Protocols and Response
Upon receiving the distress signal, Delhi ATC immediately activated emergency protocols, alerting security agencies, the Indian Air Force, and a central committee of officials from the police, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Airports Authority of India (AAI), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), and the Air Force. Although the pilot later informed ATC that it was a false alarm, security measures remained in place, given the nature of the alert.
The Flight’s Journey and Handling
The flight, carrying 126 passengers, landed safely at Mumbai Airport at 9:47 pm. Mumbai’s authorities had already enacted full emergency procedures, deploying local police, NSG (National Security Guard), and other stakeholders. The aircraft was guided to an isolation bay, and passengers disembarked only after an hour of clearance.
Investigation Underway
The emergency arose after the aircraft’s transponder sent the “squawk 7500” signal shortly after takeoff. This particular squawk code is used to indicate hijacking, while other emergency codes, 7600 and 7700, relate to communication failures and general emergencies, respectively.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), along with BCAS and CISF, is investigating the incident. Officials speculate that the false indication may have been due to pilot error or a misread signal by the ATC. The investigation aims to determine the exact cause.
An Air India official indicated that no crew involvement was suspected and suggested that a technical issue could have triggered the alarm. The airline awaits the results of the investigation to clarify the situation.
