Lucknow-bound IndiGo flight emergency returns to Bengaluru after hijack threat note found onboard

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The crew immediately alerted the pilot-in-command, who subsequently informed Air Traffic Control (ATC) and sought priority clearance to return to Bengaluru. | Image for representation | Photo Credit: File photo

A Lucknow-bound IndiGo flight made an emergency return to Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru on Saturday (November 7, 2026) after a handwritten note threatening to hijack the aircraft was discovered inside an onboard lavatory shortly after take-off.

Flight 6E-451 had departed from Terminal 1 of KIA when cabin crew members found the note. The message reportedly read: “This flight is going to hijack at 6.30, ignore and see the consequences.”

The crew immediately alerted the pilot-in-command, who subsequently informed Air Traffic Control (ATC) and sought priority clearance to return to Bengaluru. Airport authorities declared a full emergency as a precautionary measure.

According to flight-tracking website Flightradar24, the aircraft remained airborne for 51 minutes before returning to KIA.

The aircraft landed safely and was moved to an isolated bay, where security agencies, including the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Bengaluru police, cordoned off the area. All passengers were safely deboarded in accordance with standard operating procedures.

Bomb disposal personnel and dog squads were deployed to inspect the aircraft and passenger baggage as part of the security checks. Sources in Bangalore International Airport Ltd. (BIAL) told The Hindu that the aircraft was subjected to a thorough inspection as a precautionary measure following the threat. The checks did not reveal anything suspicious, and the aircraft was declared safe. “The threat was subsequently found to be a hoax, following which the emergency was lifted by the authorities,” the sources told The Hindu.

Officials said that an investigation has been initiated to ascertain who left the handwritten note inside the aircraft and establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The Hindu has contacted IndiGo seeking its response. The report will be updated once the airline’s statement is received.

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