A passenger on an Air Arabia flight caused a significant operational disruption at Chennai International Airport early Sunday after opening an emergency exit and jumping onto the runway shortly after landing.
Incident Details and Immediate Response
Flight G9 471, an Airbus A320 arriving from Sharjah, touched down around 3.23 am. Moments later, at approximately 3:25 am, a 29-year-old passenger identified as Mohamed Sherif Mohamed Najmudeen jumped from the aircraft onto Taxiway V.
Airport authorities responded by closing the primary runway (07/25) at 3.25 am as a safety precaution. The aircraft was later towed to a bay around 4.25 am, and runway operations resumed around 4.35 am.
The passenger, a resident of Pudukkottai in Tamil Nadu, reportedly insisted that he was unstable. Airline staff notified security personnel, and the individual was taken into custody by local police.
Operational Impact and Diversions
While officials stated the disruption caused no major operational impact, several flights were affected. A British Airways flight (BA0035) from London was diverted to Bengaluru due to the runway closure.
At least five other flights, including those bound for Dubai, Doha, and Ahmedabad, experienced delays of 35-40 minutes. To mitigate the closure of the main runway, the airport shifted some operations to its secondary runway (12/30).
This shift included an arrival flight from Abu Dhabi and departures 6E1061 to Bangkok and EY0341 to Abu Dhabi. The return flight to Sharjah, G9 472, faced a delay of over three hours, eventually departing at 7.41 am with 109 passengers on board.
Investigation and Next Steps
Security agencies are currently investigating the matter to determine the circumstances surrounding the passenger’s actions. The findings of this investigation may lead to further legal proceedings or a review of security measures.
Depending on the results of the probe, airport and airline authorities could evaluate boarding procedures or passenger monitoring to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the passenger involved in the incident?
The passenger was identified as 29-year-old Mohamed Sherif Mohamed Najmudeen, a resident of Pudukkottai, Tamil Nadu.
Which flight was diverted because of the runway closure?
British Airways flight BA0035 from London was diverted to Bengaluru.
How long was the main runway closed?
The main runway (07/25) was closed at 3.25 am and operations resumed around 4.35 am.
Do you believe current aviation security is equipped to handle unpredictable passenger behavior during taxiing?
