Operations Manual (Issue 1, 24.04.2012) of Air India Charters Ltd, the company that owns Air India Express, says:
Chapter 36.7 on ‘Unlawful Interference’ (hijacking)
36.7.1 — IATA recommendation:
“In considering the problem of hijacking, IATA has recommended that in the interest of safety of aircraft and passengers, crew should follow instructions of hijacker …
36.7.2 SSR codes:
ICAO has prescribed selection of SSR Mode A, code 7500 to indicate that an aircraft is subjected to unlawful interference. Code 7600 is for communication failure and 7700 for emergency.
Use of word ‘Hijack’ can be used …. and the ground stations will take it to mean ‘I have been hijacked’ and initiate necessary action and give assistance to aircraft.”
The moot questions here are:
If there was a hijack attempt as reported, why did Capt Rupali not use the 7500 transponder code indicating ‘unlawful interference’ or hijacking?
Why did she not use the separate VHF link to speak to airline staff or security on ground and instead switched on the radio to address ATC?