Passenger jumps from plane through emergency exit

A passenger on board an Air Arabia flight arriving from Sharjah caused panic at Chennai International Airport after opening an emergency exit and jumping from the aircraft while it was moving on the taxiway.

The incident took place early Sunday morning after the flight carrying 217 passengers landed in Chennai at around 3:30am. Officials said the passenger, identified as 30-year-old Mohamed Nizamuddin Sheriff from Pudukkottai district, suddenly opened the emergency exit, jumped onto the ground and attempted to flee.

Airport security personnel and members of the Central Industrial Security Force responded immediately and detained the passenger after surrounding him near the aircraft.

The man sustained minor injuries and was shifted to the airport hospital for first aid treatment.

The incident disrupted airport operations, leaving the aircraft halted on the taxiway and delaying its movement to the parking bay.

A British Airways flight arriving from London was also unable to land during the disruption and was diverted to Bengaluru before later returning to Chennai.

Officials said security agencies questioned the passenger, who allegedly gave inconsistent statements and claimed he feared someone intended to kill him. Authorities said the investigation was continuing from multiple angles.

Reports quoting officials stated the passenger had complained of nausea during the flight and was believed to have vomited twice onboard.

The disruption also delayed another Air Arabia flight scheduled to depart from Chennai to Sharjah, which eventually took off several hours later.