Hijack Threat Note Found on Bengaluru-Lucknow IndiGo Flight, Aircraft Makes Emergency Return

India: Panic gripped passengers aboard an IndiGo flight from Bengaluru to Lucknow on Saturday evening after a handwritten note threatening to hijack the aircraft was discovered inside its toilet, prompting the pilots to make an emergency return to Bengaluru.

The incident involved IndiGo flight 6E-451, which departed from Terminal 1 of Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) at around 5:50 pm with 178 passengers on board. Approximately 30 minutes after take-off, a passenger discovered a crumpled piece of paper inside the aircraft's lavatory carrying a threatening message: “This plane is going to get hijacked exactly at 6.30. Ignore this and see the consequences.”

The passenger immediately alerted the cabin crew, who informed the cockpit. Taking the threat seriously, the pilots followed established security protocols and contacted air traffic control to request priority landing clearance.

After remaining airborne for approximately 51 minutes, the aircraft safely returned to Bengaluru airport.

Airport authorities subsequently declared a full emergency. Following landing, all passengers were safely deboarded, while the aircraft was moved to an isolated area for detailed security inspections.

Aviation security personnel and other security agencies carried out extensive anti-sabotage checks lasting approximately 90 minutes. However, no suspicious objects or evidence of a potential hijacking attempt were discovered. Authorities subsequently declared the threat note a hoax.

Meanwhile, police have launched an investigation to identify the person responsible for placing the threatening note inside the aircraft. Investigators are examining the passenger list and other relevant details to establish how the note was planted.