An IndiGo flight from Bengaluru to Lucknow made an emergency landing back at Kempegowda International Airport after crew members found a handwritten hijack threat in the aircraft’s toilet soon after take-off on Saturday. The flight was carrying 178 passengers.
IndiGo flight 6E-451 departed from KIA at about 5.50pm. Shortly after the aircraft began its journey, crew members found a handwritten note stating that the aircraft would be hijacked at exactly 6.30pm. The crew alerted the pilot, who informed air traffic control before returning the aircraft to Bengaluru.
The aircraft landed safely at Kempegowda International Airport, where security personnel deboarded all 178 passengers and carried out checks. Security teams also conducted a detailed search of the aircraft as part of the response to the threat.
The Kempegowda Airport police station is questioning passengers as part of the investigation. Officials suspect that the note may have been written and left inside the toilet by one of the passengers, although the police inquiry is continuing.
IndiGo confirmed that a hijack threat letter had been found on the flight and said that the required security checks and other procedures were being followed to ensure passenger safety. The airline said the aircraft would depart for Lucknow only after receiving clearance from the relevant authorities.
The airline said the pilots decided to return the aircraft to KIA in line with the prescribed operational procedures after informing the concerned authorities. IndiGo apologised for the inconvenience caused to passengers and arranged food and beverages for them while the security procedures were underway.
The incident placed the airport’s aviation security and emergency-response systems into operation, with coordination between the flight crew, air traffic control, airport security personnel, police and the airline. The next movement of the aircraft and passengers remains subject to completion of the required checks and approval from the relevant authorities.
