Jaipur: A Delhi-bound Air India aircraft flying from Frankfurt was forced to divert to Jaipur on Wednesday morning after aviation authorities received a security alert, prompting an emergency landing and heightened checks at the airport.
The aircraft, operating as flight AI-2030, touched down safely at Jaipur International Airport before being taken to an isolated parking area at approximately 9:45 am. Security personnel then began examining the plane away from regular airport operations.
Preliminary details suggest that Ahmedabad Air Traffic Control picked up a short-lived “Squawk-7500” transmission from the aircraft. The signal immediately set off alerts among security agencies, leading to the decision to divert the flight to Jaipur, as reported by India TV
In aviation practice, “Squawk-7500” is the internationally recognised transponder code for unlawful interference with an aircraft, including a hijacking or forced seizure.
Reports indicated that the pilot may have broadcast the code for only a few seconds. Even so, the alert was treated as serious enough to divert the aircraft and place it under security observation.
An official clarification on the “Squawk-7500” alert is currently awaited.
Riyadh Services suspended
Meanwhile, Air India and Air India Express have further extended the suspension of flights operating to and from Riyadh amid the continuing uncertainty in Saudi Arabia, officials said on Saturday.
Air India Express has called off its Riyadh services until October 14, while Air India has extended its cancellations until October 15, according to officials cited by news agency PTI.
The two carriers had initially announced suspension of Riyadh operations until October 10 on Thursday. Officials said both airlines were continuing to track the situation and reviewing developments in the region before restoring services.
Passengers whose flights were cancelled are being offered full refunds. An official also said Air India Express was allowing affected travellers to reschedule their journeys without additional charges.
Air India Express operates 16 weekly services to Riyadh from four Indian cities — Bengaluru, Kochi, Kannur and Kozhikode. Air India runs seven weekly flights to the Saudi capital from Delhi and Mumbai.
On Friday, Akasa Air also announced cancellation of its Riyadh flights until October 11.
