Mumbai: In a bizarre breach of airport security, a 25-year-old man from Kalamboli in Navi Mumbai was arrested on Thursday after he ran across the restricted apron area of the Mumbai airport in a desperate bid to board a flight he had already missed.
Soni Ran On Tarmac To Catch Flight
The man, identified as Piyush Soni, arrived at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport shortly after 9:50 am, missing the boarding deadline for his Air India flight to Patna. Upon discovering that the flight had already taken off, Soni reportedly panicked and attempted to chase down an aircraft on the tarmac, unaware that the plane he was running toward had actually arrived from Bhuj, Gujarat.
According to a Times of India report quoting Sahar police and airport officials, Soni accessed the apron, a high-security zone where aircraft are parked, by forcefully opening an emergency gate between Gate 42 and Gate 43. His sudden dash on the tarmac not only alarmed ground staff but also posed a serious threat to flight operations and safety.
Soni Caught After Air India Staffer Spotted Him Running
An Air India staff member lodged a formal complaint, stating that they saw the man sprinting toward a stationary aircraft. Fortunately, no aircraft were taking off or landing at the time, averting what could have been a catastrophic incident.
When questioned by security personnel and the CISF (Central Industrial Security Force), Soni initially claimed that a coach driver had mistakenly dropped him near the runway. However, further inquiries revealed this to be false and he later admitted to trying to reach the plane on his own, believing he could still board.
Soni was booked under sections of the Indian Penal Code for endangering human life, along with violations under the Aircraft Act. He is currently in judicial custody and authorities are reviewing CCTV footage and airport security systems to understand how the breach occurred.
