An IndiGo flight from Bengaluru to Lucknow returned to Kempegowda International Airport on Saturday evening after a note claiming the aircraft would be hijacked was found in an onboard toilet, triggering security checks for all 178 passengers and crew.
Flight 6E 451 took off from Bengaluru at around 5.50pm. About 30 minutes after departure, a passenger entering the toilet found the note and alerted the cabin crew. The crew then informed the pilot, who decided to return the aircraft to its origin airport.
According to a senior police officer quoted by Times of India, the note stated: “This plane is going to get hijacked exactly at 6.30.” The aircraft was searched after landing, and the security exercise continued for about 90 minutes. Authorities subsequently declared the threat a hoax, the officer said.
An IndiGo spokesperson confirmed that a security threat had been reported onboard the Bengaluru-Lucknow flight. The airline said the relevant authorities were informed immediately and that the pilots returned to the origin airport under standard operating procedures to enable security checks.
The incident temporarily interrupted the flight’s journey and required passengers to undergo the consequences of the return and security process. IndiGo said it was attempting to minimise inconvenience by providing refreshments and regular updates to passengers.
The airline said the safety and security of its customers, crew and aircraft remained its highest priority. After the security checks, the flight continued its journey later in the night, according to the police officer quoted in the report.
