Chennai, India: A passenger onboard an Air Arabia flight arriving from Sharjah caused a major security disruption at Chennai International Airport after allegedly opening an emergency exit door while the aircraft was taxiing after landing on Sunday morning.
The incident involved Air Arabia flight G9 471 (Airbus A320) which landed in Chennai carrying approximately 231 passengers. According to airport and security officials, the aircraft had safely touched down and was moving along the taxiway towards the terminal when the disruption occurred.
As the aircraft proceeded along the taxiway, a 34-year-old male passenger from Pudukkottai, Tamil Nadu, reportedly opened one of the emergency exit doors without authorization. In some reports, it is also stated that the passenger exited the aircraft after opening the door, triggering immediate alarm among crew and ground authorities.
The pilot responded instantly by bringing the aircraft to a halt and alerting Air Traffic Control and airport security agencies. The action resulted in a temporary suspension of operations on the taxiway and main runway.
Personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), along with airport security and police teams, rushed to the aircraft. The passenger was quickly restrained and taken into custody for questioning.
Officials confirmed that he was later handed over to local police for further investigation. Authorities are also assessing the passenger’s mental condition and behaviour prior to the incident, with preliminary reports suggesting he may have been unwell during the flight.
The passenger had complained of discomfort onboard and had experienced vomiting during the journey, though this is part of ongoing verification.
Following the incident, Chennai Airport authorities temporarily shut the main runway and taxi operations for security checks and inspection of the aircraft, especially due to the emergency exit deployment.
The affected aircraft was later towed to a parking bay after inspection. Authorities confirmed that no passengers or crew members were injured, no structural damage to the aircraft was reported and the situation was contained quickly by security teams.
The pilot has filed a formal complaint, and aviation security officials are investigating. Airport authorities have stated that normal operations resumed shortly after the incident and security protocols remain under review.
