A 34-year-old flyer on board a Sharjah-Chennai Air Arabia flight reportedly jumped out of the aircraft after opening an emergency exit while the plane was still taxiing, leaving other passengers stunned. The incident was reported after the plane landed at Chennai International Airport early Sunday.
Airport officials said the incident occurred moments after touchdown, when the plane, carrying 231 passengers, had cleared the main runway and was moving slowly on a taxiway but had not yet come to a halt. The unexpected move triggered panic inside the cabin and prompted an immediate security response, PTI reported.
Passengers Seemed ‘Unwell’, Says Official
A senior airport officer confirmed the sequence of events, stating, “Yes, the flight was still
slowly on the move as he jumped out. There was no loss of life or damage to the aircraft,” NDTV reported. The officer added that the incident did not take place on the main runway.
Initial reports suggest the passenger may have been unwell during the flight. “He complained of a vomiting sensation and is believed to have vomited twice on board,” an official said, indicating that his condition may have influenced his actions.
Flyer’s Action Sparks Security Scare
The pilot alerted ground authorities immediately. Personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) responded quickly, secured the individual and handed him over to the police for further questioning.
The incident led to a brief disruption in airport operations, with the main runway shut from 03:23 am to 04:23 am as a precaution. Flights were temporarily diverted to a secondary runway.
While the man’s identity has not been officially confirmed, reports suggest he hails from Tamil Nadu. Authorities have launched an investigation into the safety breach, though officials confirmed there was no damage to the aircraft and no injuries to passengers or crew.
