Unusual Disembarking Incident
An Air Arabia flight, identified as G90471 and operating an A320 aircraft (registration A6-AOP), arrived at Chennai International Airport from Sharjah
in the early hours of Sunday. The flight, scheduled to land at 03:25 IST, actually touched down at 03:23 IST. However, shortly after arrival, as the aircraft was taxiing on Taxiway V, a startling event occurred. A passenger aboard the flight initiated the opening of an emergency exit door and proceeded to exit the aircraft. This unauthorized action led to the aircraft becoming disabled on Runway 07/25 at approximately 03:24 IST, immediately halting further movement on the runway.
Airport Operations Disrupted
The immediate consequence of the passenger exiting the aircraft via the emergency door was a significant disruption to airport operations. The main runway was officially closed at 03:25 IST, creating a standstill for air traffic. Security personnel, including the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), swiftly responded to the situation. They apprehended the passenger immediately after they had exited the aircraft. The runway remained closed until 04:35 IST, a full hour after the initial closure. The disabled aircraft was eventually towed from Taxiway V at 04:27 IST. Runway operations finally resumed at 04:35 IST, and the aircraft was subsequently positioned at Bay 30 at 04:40 IST, indicating a return to normalcy after the unexpected event.
Passenger Apprehended, Investigation Underway
Following the apprehension by security personnel, the passenger was handed over to the local police for further questioning. While the incident caused a temporary suspension of runway activities, officials confirmed that no injuries were reported among the crew or other passengers. The individual who exited the aircraft sustained only minor abrasions during the jump. Authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation to understand the precise circumstances that prompted the passenger's actions. This includes examining whether any procedural oversights occurred during the taxiing and deboarding phases. The aircraft itself is undergoing a thorough safety inspection after the unauthorized deployment of its emergency door and slide.
