Thiruvananthapuram: Airport drama in Thiruvananthapuram international airport on Friday did not amount to a ‘hijack’ situation, it now transpires.
Air Traffic Control (ATC) sources say the transponder code from the aircraft as received by its radar was 7700.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh too had corroborated the fact the same evening while speaking about the incident in Delhi.
Code 7700 is an indicator of (technical) emergency, but ATC was compelled to initiate anti-hijack procedures because of the captain’s slip of tongue.
Sources say Capt Rupali Waghmare had spoken over the radio transmitter and had stated that there was a ‘hijack-like situation’ on board.
Because the word ‘hijack’ had been uttered, the control was left with no choice but to initiate post-hijack drill.
22/10/12 Vinson Kurian/Business Line
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Air Traffic Control (ATC) sources say the transponder code from the aircraft as received by its radar was 7700.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh too had corroborated the fact the same evening while speaking about the incident in Delhi.
Code 7700 is an indicator of (technical) emergency, but ATC was compelled to initiate anti-hijack procedures because of the captain’s slip of tongue.
Sources say Capt Rupali Waghmare had spoken over the radio transmitter and had stated that there was a ‘hijack-like situation’ on board.
Because the word ‘hijack’ had been uttered, the control was left with no choice but to initiate post-hijack drill.
22/10/12 Vinson Kurian/Business Line
