Runway Chaos: Passenger Jumps from Moving Aircraft at Chennai Airport; International Flights Diverted

Chennai, May 3, 2026 — A major security breach occurred at Chennai International Airport today after a passenger on an arriving international flight opened the emergency exit door and jumped onto the tarmac while the aircraft was still taxiing. The incident caused a temporary closure of the primary runway, leading to significant delays and the diversion of several international flights, including a British Airways flight from London to Bengaluru.

The Breach: A Descent into Tarmac

The incident involved Air Arabia flight G9 472, arriving from Sharjah with 231 passengers on board. As the Airbus A321 was taxiing toward its designated bay, a 34-year-old male passenger from Pudukkottai, Tamil Nadu, reportedly unbuckled his seatbelt, rushed to the overwing emergency exit, and pulled the lever.

Witnesses stated that the evacuation slide deployed immediately, and the passenger jumped onto the tarmac before ground crew or security could intervene. He was apprehended by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel after a brief chase on the airfield.

Impact on Operations and Diversions

Following the breach, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and airport authorities ordered an immediate suspension of all flight movements on the primary runway for safety inspections and to clear the deployed evacuation slide.

The closure had a ripple effect on international arrivals:

• British Airways Flight BA0035 from London Heathrow, which was on its final approach, was forced to divert to Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport.
• Two other domestic flights were put into a holding pattern for over 45 minutes before being allowed to land.

Investigation and Legal Action

The passenger, who sustained minor abrasions during his jump, is currently in the custody of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). Initial questioning has provided no clear motive, and authorities are conducting a psychiatric evaluation to determine his mental state.

"This is a grave violation of aviation safety laws," said an airport official. "Opening an emergency door on a moving aircraft not only endangers the individual but creates a massive operational hazard for the entire airport. The individual will be placed on the 'No-Fly List' and faces multiple charges under the Aircraft Act."