A major security breach occurred at Chennai International Airport early Sunday morning when a passenger on an Air Arabia flight arriving from Sharjah opened an emergency exit door while the aircraft was taxiing toward the terminal. The incident, which took place between 3:30 AM and 3:50 AM, triggered an immediate grounding of the plane and a massive response from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). Initial reports indicate that the 34-year-old passenger, a resident of Pudukkottai, not only opened the exit but jumped onto the tarmac, leading to a temporary suspension of runway operations as security teams scrambled to secure the area.

The pilot’s swift notification to air traffic control and security personnel allowed the CISF to apprehend the individual quickly. The breach caused significant ripple effects across airport schedules, including the diversion of an international flight from London to Bengaluru and a three-hour delay for the aircraft’s scheduled return flight to Sharjah. Following his arrest, the passenger reportedly claimed he opened the door out of fear, alleging a plot against his life. Authorities are currently conducting a mental health evaluation and further investigation to determine if there were any deeper security threats or if the act was a result of a medical episode. No injuries were reported among the remaining 230 passengers and crew.