News Desk: An Air India flight travelling from Frankfurt to Delhi was diverted to Jaipur on Wednesday morning after a suspected hijacking signal triggered a security alert. The aircraft landed safely, and security agencies carried out extensive checks on passengers, baggage and the plane.
Flight AI2030 landed at Jaipur International Airport at 9.35 am on October 14 and was moved to an isolation bay ten minutes later. All passengers and crew members were initially taken to a designated holding area inside the terminal while security personnel examined the aircraft.
According to sources cited by Hindustan Times, Ahmedabad Air Traffic Control received a brief emergency signal at around 9 am. Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) sources said the aircraft was transmitting transponder code 7500, an internationally recognised aviation code indicating hijacking or unlawful interference.
The information was passed on to the relevant authorities, and the flight was diverted at approximately 9.10 am.
### What does transponder code 7500 mean?
Transponder codes are used by aircraft to communicate specific information to air traffic controllers. Code 7500 signals a situation involving hijacking or unlawful interference and can trigger an immediate security response.
Sources suggested that the signal might have been transmitted inadvertently. However, they also said the pilot denied activating it during questioning. The precise circumstances behind the alert remained under investigation.
An airport official said the initial information had referred to a possible bomb threat before the alert was described as a suspected hijacking incident.
### Security agencies conduct extensive checks
Senior Rajasthan officials, including Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Bhaskar A. Sawant, Jaipur Police Commissioner Sachin Mittal and District Collector Sandesh Nayak, reached the airport as security arrangements were strengthened.
Personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), local police and the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad inspected the aircraft and passengers' luggage. Sniffer dogs were also deployed to search the cabin and baggage hold.
Anti-Terrorism Squad personnel were present at the airport, while nearby hospitals were alerted as a precaution.
### Air India confirms passengers reboarded
The flight had departed Frankfurt on Tuesday night and was scheduled to reach Delhi at 10.40 am on Wednesday.
In a statement, Air India said the aircraft had been diverted to Jaipur following a perceived security concern. The airline confirmed that security agencies completed the necessary checks and cleared the aircraft and crew.
Passengers underwent security screening and subsequently reboarded the plane. Air India apologised for the disruption and said its teams had coordinated with the authorities to minimise inconvenience.
The incident prompted a significant security response, although the aircraft landed safely and the passengers and crew were not reported to have suffered any harm.
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