India

IndiGo Flight 6E 451 Returns to Bengaluru After Hijack Threat Note Found

By Livemint

A full emergency was declared at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (Terminal 1) after a hijack threat message was discovered in the lavatory of IndiGo flight 6E 451, scheduled to depart for Lucknow. The note, found by a passenger who alerted cabin crew, read: ‘This plane is going to get hijacked exactly at 6.30. Ignore this and see the consequences.’ The crew informed the pilot, who turned the aircraft around and returned to Bengaluru for security checks. Upon landing, aviation law enforcement and security personnel isolated the plane and conducted anti‑sabotage and safety sweeps. IndiGo issued a statement saying that a security threat was reported onboard, the authorities were notified immediately, and the pilots decided to return to the origin to carry out necessary checks. The airline apologized for the inconvenience, offered refreshments, and promised to resume the journey after receiving clearances. Ground staff provided updates and refreshments to affected passengers. After mandatory safety checks were completed, the flight resumed its journey. The threat was later declared a hoax. This incident followed a week in which dozens of European flights were diverted due to a series of hoax bomb threats, prompting airlines to scramble to maintain passenger safety and minimise disruptions to air traffic.