IndiGo flight returns to Bengaluru after hijack threat note found onboard
A full emergency was declared at Kempegowda International Airport after a handwritten note was discovered in a lavatory.
An IndiGo flight bound for Lucknow made an emergency return to Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru on Saturday, November 7, 2026, after a hijack threat was found. Flight 6E-451 had departed from Terminal 1 when a handwritten note was discovered inside the aircraft lavatory, according to reports from The Hindu and ANI.
The note reportedly stated, “This flight is going to hijack at 6.30, ignore and see the consequences.” A passenger found the message and alerted the cabin crew, who then informed the pilot-in-command. The aircraft remained in the air for 51 minutes before landing back at KIA, as tracked by Flightradar24.
Airport authorities declared a full emergency as a precaution. Upon landing, the aircraft was moved to an isolated bay where the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Bengaluru police, and aviation law enforcement cordoned off the area for anti-sabotage sweeps. Bomb disposal personnel and dog squads also inspected the plane and passenger luggage.
Sources at Bangalore International Airport Ltd. (BIAL) told The Hindu that the inspection found nothing suspicious and the threat was determined to be a hoax. An investigation has been started to find who left the note. An IndiGo spokesperson said that following standard protocols, the pilots returned to the origin to conduct security checks and the airline was immediately notifying the necessary authorities.
The airline stated it was providing refreshments and updates to passengers while prioritising the safety of its crew and customers. The flight resumed its journey to Lucknow after receiving the required clearances.