There was high drama at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport when the pilot of Air India Express flight 4422 from Abu Dhabi to Kochi sent out a hijack alert. Minutes later, security forces surrounded the flight and the Home Ministry was kept in the loop.
According to reports, the plane was to land at Kochi, but had to be diverted to Thiruvananthapuram at 3.30 am due to bad weather at Kochi. AI authorities announced that the passengers would be taken by road to Kochi. But a few angry passengers tried to enter the cockpit and at that time the pilot flashed the hijack alert.
Passengers, however, claimed no one tried to force their way into the cockpit. There was a three hour delay and passengers were served food and water.
The plane is still at the airport awaiting further orders.