'Keep My Bag Or I'll Crash The Plane': Air India Express Doctor Sparks Mid-Air Scare, Here's What Happened Next

A Bengaluru-based doctor was deboarded from an Air India Express flight after allegedly threatening to crash the plane during a dispute over cabin baggage. Legal action has been initiated.

An Air India Express at an airport (IANS)

A local doctor was offloaded from an Air India Express aircraft at Bengaluru on Tuesday afternoon after reportedly threatening to "crash the plane" in a disagreement over her cabin baggage. The accused has been identified as Dr Vyas Hiral Mohanbhai, 36, of Bengaluru's Yelahanka locality. The incident occurred at approximately 2:45 PM on an Air India Express flight to Surat, Gujarat, reports The Indian Express.

Authorities said Dr Mohanbhai allegedly insisted the cabin crew move her hand baggage, which she had left in the front row, to the seat she was allocated at 20F. When questioned on the inappropriately placed bag, she reportedly got ruffled. The tension mounted when she allegedly threatened to "crash the plane," and the cabin crew informed the pilot. Even after the pilot intervened, Dr Mohanbhai allegedly refused to calm down and was subsequently taken out of the aircraft prior to takeoff, according to the police report.

The Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL) police have registered a case against Dr Mohanbhai. She is charged under sections 351 (4) (criminal intimidation by anonymous communication) and 353(1)(b) (public mischief statements) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and section 3(1)(a) (act of violence on or against any person on board an aircraft in flight likely to endanger the safety of such aircraft) of the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation Act.

Air India Makes Operational Reforms After Recent Crash

Air India is adopting major operational reforms, such as the cancellation and diversion of flights, following the devastating crash of flight AI171. The ill-fated flight en route to London crashed after a brief flight from Ahmedabad airport when 241 passengers on board and about 30 people on the ground lost their lives.

As a measure to offset the effects of recent happenings, the company stated it will cut frequencies on 16 international routes. These routes cover North America, Europe, Australia, and the Far East. The company will also temporarily suspend three routes from June 21 to July 15.