Passenger smokes on AI flight, misbehaves with crew

NEW DELHI: A passenger on board an Air India Ranchi-Delhi flight created a ruckus mid-air when he was stopped from smoking inside the toilet.

The plane from Ranchi was approaching Delhi last Sunday when the crew asked the passenger to come out of the toilet. They noticed the smell of cigarette and realised he was smoking.

What followed next was a heated argument. The passenger threatened to smoke again, risking the safety of other passengers. The crew then contacted the security control room at the Delhi airport and asked for assistance.

“We were told about an unruly passenger on board AI 318, coming from Ranchi. As the plane landed, the passenger was taken out by the security personnel,” said an officer of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). The incident took place on September 3.

The CISF is responsible for the security of airports across the country and often have to control passengers who have turned unruly mid-air. “During enquiry it was found that the passenger had smoked in the flight and even misbehaved with crew. Since the airline was reluctant to file a police complaint, a written apology was taken from him and he was allowed to travel further to Astana,” the official added.

“The person concerned at Ranchi airport has been informed as his security check was conducted there. We will have to check whether he carried a matchstick or a lighter,” said a CISF official.

An Air India spokesperson confirmed the incident.