Air India Frankfurt-Delhi flight diverted, hijack call may have been a mistake

An Air India flight bound for New Delhi from Frankfurt was diverted to Jaipur on Wednesday morning due to an alleged hijack alert, according to Indian media reports. The Boeing aircraft, flight AI2030, touched down safely at Jaipur International Airport following a brief transmission of Squawk 7500, a universally recognized aviation code signifying a possible hijacking or unlawful interference with an aircraft.

The alert originated from Ahmedabad Air Traffic Control around 9:45am, prompting security personnel to isolate the plane at an isolated bay for thorough checks. Indian newspaper Hindustan Times reported that the Central Industrial Security Force, local law enforcement, and bomb detection and disposal teams examined the aircraft and passengers' luggage.

Passengers and crew members were safely escorted to a designated holding area inside the airport terminal. An airport official clarified that the alert pertained to a suspected hijacking, rather than a bomb threat, contrary to earlier reports that had suggested a possible bomb threat. The source of the alert remains undisclosed, and there is no confirmation that an actual hijacking attempt occurred.

Air India and the airport authorities have not released an official statement regarding the incident.