In a startling incident that underscores the critical importance of aviation security protocols, an Air India flight from Delhi to Mumbai triggered a full-scale emergency response after mistakenly transmitting a hijack alert.
By Aditya M
The flight, AI 2957, carrying 126 passengers, took off from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on Monday evening, January 27th, 2025. Shortly after take-off, at approximately 8:40 PM, the aircraft's transponder emitted a "squawk 7500" code, an internationally recognized signal for unlawful interference, or hijacking.
This single code immediately set in motion a chain of events that demonstrated the high level of vigilance and preparedness within India's aviation security apparatus. The Air Traffic Control (ATC) in Delhi, upon receiving the distress signal, swiftly notified all relevant authorities, including the Mumbai airport, the Indian Air Force, and various security agencies. A full emergency was declared at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, with local police, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and the National Security Guard (NSG) placed on high alert.
Despite the pilot's prompt communication with ATC, assuring them that the situation was normal and there was no hijacking, the established protocols demanded that authorities treat the alert as genuine. This cautious approach is crucial in ensuring passenger safety, as it's possible for a pilot to be under duress and forced to give false assurances.
Upon landing in Mumbai at 9:47 PM, the aircraft was directed to an isolation bay, where it underwent a thorough inspection. Passengers were held on board for an hour while security personnel meticulously checked for any signs of threat. Only after a comprehensive sweep confirmed that there was no cause for alarm were the passengers allowed to disembark.
The incident, while ultimately a false alarm, highlights the critical role of squawk codes in aviation safety. These four-digit transponder signals are used by aircraft to communicate with ATC, with specific codes designated for emergency situations. Squawk 7500, the code transmitted by AI 2957, is reserved exclusively for hijack situations, making it a signal that cannot be ignored.
Following the incident, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), along with the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and the CISF, launched a joint investigation to determine the cause of the false alarm. The inquiry will focus on whether the incident was due to a technical malfunction, pilot error, or a misinterpretation of signals by ATC.
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