Passenger tries to open emergency exit midair on Kochi-bound flight; arrested

A passenger on a Kuala Lumpur-Kochi Batik Air flight allegedly tried to force open an emergency exit and was restrained by the cabin crew. He was arrested after landing in Kochi as police booked him under multiple safety and intimidation provisions.The accused, identified as Jamsheer Athanikkal, was travelling on Batik Air flight OD231 from Kuala Lumpur to Kochi. (Photo: Social media)A passenger was arrested after he allegedly tried to force open the emergency exit of a Kuala Lumpur-Kochi flight mid-air and threatened fellow passengers and cabin crew, police said on Thursday. The accused, identified as Jamsheer Athanikkal, was travelling on Batik Air flight OD231 from Kuala Lumpur to Kochi on Wednesday when the incident occurred, according to the FIR.The FIR said the incident took place between 9.30 pm and 11.05 pm while the aircraft was in flight. It alleged that Athanikkal tried to force open the emergency exit, damaged its window panel and threatened fellow passengers, endangering the safety of everyone on board. Cabin crew intervened and restrained him, police said.The case was registered on a complaint filed by Batik Air's Security In-Charge at Kochi, and Athanikkal was arrested as soon as the flight landed early on Thursday.He has been booked under Section 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for criminal intimidation, Section 11A of the Aircraft Act for violating safety or security directions, and Section 118(e) of the Kerala Police Act for acts endangering public safety, police said. AIR INDIA FLIGHT MADE EMERGENCY LANDING AFTER SUDDEN ALTITUDE LOSSThe arrest comes days after another mid-air scare involving an Indian carrier. Air India flight AI2379, operating from Phuket, Thailand, to Delhi, experienced a sudden loss of altitude during cruise on Tuesday, the airline said.The flight, carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members, landed safely in Delhi. Following the incident, 13 passengers and four crew members were admitted to hospital for treatment. The airline said its teams remained present at the hospitals and were in close contact with those affected, providing assistance and support. Air India said it had informed relevant regulators, was cooperating with the investigation, and had notified the aircraft manufacturer. The aircraft was a seven-year-old Airbus, according to flight-tracking service Flightradar24.The airline said passenger and crew safety remained its "foremost priority" and that it would continue supporting those affected and their families as the investigation progressed.- EndsWith agency inputsPublished By: Priyanka KumariPublished On: Aug 6, 2026 17:19 IST