An Air India flight operating from Frankfurt to New Delhi triggered a massive security scare on Wednesday morning after transmitting a covert emergency signal, leading to an emergency landing at Jaipur International Airport.
Flight AI 2030, a Boeing 787-9 carrying 306 people on board, was diverted after Ahmedabad Air Traffic Control (ATC) received a brief Squawk 7500 transmission—the internationally recognized transponder code signaling a hijacking or unlawful interference.
Safe Landing and Multi-Agency Response
The aircraft landed safely at Jaipur at approximately 9:35 AM and was immediately isolated in a designated bay away from the main terminal.
- Evacuation & Screening: All passengers and crew members were safely deplaned in phases under strict security supervision.
- Ground Operations: Personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), local police, the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), and the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) thoroughly inspected the aircraft cabins and passenger luggage.
Investigation Into the Alert
While initial local police reports briefly noted confusion regarding a potential bomb threat, aviation authorities confirmed that the emergency protocols were primarily activated due to the Squawk 7500 transponder broadcast.
Preliminary indications suggest the code may have been transmitted accidentally by the flight deck, though the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and security agencies are conducting a comprehensive probe to determine the exact cause.
