New Delhi, Sept. 23 -- A first time flier was taken into police custody after he attempted to open the cockpit door, mistaking it for the lavatory, officials aware of the matter said, adding that the mid-air incident was reported on an Air India Express flight IX 1086 from Bengaluru to Varanasi on Monday. "The passenger who tried to open the cockpit door was a first-time flier. When asked why he did so, he said he wanted to use the lavatory and thought it was the same door. He however, went back quietly after the crew informed him that he had attempted to open the cockpit door. As per protocol, he was handed over to the CISF, which is said to have handed him over to the local police," an official familiar with the matter said. Air India Express said in a statement that the safety of the flight and passengers had not been compromised. "We are aware of media reports regarding an incident on one of our flights to Varanasi, where a passenger approached the cockpit entry area while looking for the lavatory. We reaffirm that robust safety and security protocols are in place and were not compromised. "The passenger was handed over to the CISF after landing. The local police are expected to question the passenger further, though officials indicated that no deliberate wrongdoing was established initially," another official said. A third official said that the passenger was in a group of nine. "He pressed the security code of the cockpit door, alerting the crew on board. He expressed ignorance about his act, stating that he was unaware as he was a first time passenger. The crew identified all the fellow passengers and based upon information CISF took all of them for interrogation and informed local police," a Varanasi airport official said. "The IB and police are checking the passenger's history. He is expected to be released after interrogation as he seems to be a first time traveller," the official added. This comes a day after an Air India flight had to return to the bay after one of its passengers was left behind in the terminal building. The flight AI162, operating from London (Heathrow) to Delhi on September 21 had returned to the gate shortly after pushback because a passenger who, despite having their boarding pass scanned and being marked as boarded, failed to board the aircraft. "The passenger had mistakenly proceeded to the arrivals area instead of the departure gate after having their boarding pass scanned at the gate. As per standard security protocols, the aircraft returned to offload the passenger's baggage and, subsequently, departed with a delay. The passenger was detained by the airport security officials for questioning. Our flight crew followed the necessary procedures..." an Air India spokesperson said....