Full emergency declared at Bengaluru airport after hijack threat note discovered onboard IndiGo 6E451. Passengers deboarded, aircraft checked, and investigation underway. Airline prioritising safety.
BY PC Bureau
November 7, 2026: An IndiGo flight bound for Lucknow returned to Bengaluru on Saturday evening after a handwritten note threatening to hijack the aircraft was discovered in one of its toilets, triggering a full emergency response and extensive security checks at Kempegowda International Airport.
Flight 6E451, carrying approximately 178 passengers, took off from Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport at around 5:50 pm. The aircraft was operating from Terminal 1.
Shortly after departure, a passenger found a handwritten note in an aircraft toilet warning that the plane would be hijacked at exactly 6:30 pm. The message reportedly read: “This plane is going to get hijacked exactly at 06:30. Ignore and see the consequences.”
The passenger immediately alerted the cabin crew, who informed the pilots. The flight crew subsequently contacted Air Traffic Control and decided to return to Bengaluru in accordance with established aviation security procedures.
The aircraft abandoned its journey to Lucknow and headed back to its departure airport. Authorities declared a full emergency at Kempegowda International Airport ahead of its landing.
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Lucknow-Bound IndiGo Flight Makes Emergency Return to Bengaluru Airport Following Mid-Air Hijack Threat Note
Bengaluru
A Lucknow-bound #IndiGo flight (6E-451) declared a full emergency and returned to Kempegowda International Airport (KIA)#Bengaluru shortly after takeoff following the discovery of a suspected #hijack threat note inside an onboard lavatory.
The aircraft had departed from Terminal 1 when cabin crew members spotted a handwritten note left in the lavatory. The message reportedly read: “This flight is going to hijack at 6.30, ignore and see the consequences.”
The flight crew immediately alerted the pilot-in-command, who notified Air Traffic Control (ATC) and requested priority clearance to return. A full emergency was declared at the airport to prepare for an immediate arrival.
The aircraft touched down safely back at Bengaluru airport and was directed to an isolated bay. Security agencies, including the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and police, quickly cordoned off the perimeter.
All passengers were safely deboarded in accordance with standard operating procedures. Security personnel, alongside bomb disposal teams and dog squads, are currently conducting an exhaustive search of the aircraft and passenger baggage.
An investigation is underway to identify the origin of the note and the individual responsible.
@IndiGo6E @BlrCityPolice @BLRAirport
— Yasir Mushtaq (@path2shah) November 7, 2026
Passengers evacuated, aircraft subjected to security checks
After the IndiGo 6E451 landed safely, all passengers were deboarded. Security personnel and aviation authorities launched a detailed examination of the aircraft to rule out the presence of explosives, weapons or other suspicious material.
The checks included an anti-sabotage inspection of the aircraft and its contents. Security agencies also began examining the circumstances in which the handwritten threat was discovered.
Police questioned passengers and other relevant individuals as part of the investigation. One of the possibilities being examined is whether the note was deliberately planted by someone travelling on the flight.
Investigators are attempting to establish who wrote the message, when it was placed in the toilet and whether the threat had any credible basis. No confirmation of an actual hijacking attempt or the presence of explosives had emerged in the initial updates.
IndiGo confirms security threat
IndiGo confirmed that a security threat had been reported aboard flight 6E451, operating between Bengaluru and Lucknow on November 7.
In a statement, the airline said:
“A security threat was reported onboard IndiGo flight 6E 451, operating from Bengaluru to Lucknow on 07 November 2026. In line with Standard Operating Procedure, the relevant authorities were informed immediately and the pilots decided to return to origin to carry out the necessary security checks, as per protocol.
“We regret the inconvenience caused to our customers and are making all efforts to minimise it, including offering them refreshments and sharing regular updates. The flight will resume its journey after receiving the requisite clearances.
“At IndiGo, the safety and security of our customers, crew and aircraft remain our utmost priority.”
Flight awaiting security clearance
Passengers were provided refreshments and updates while security agencies carried out the necessary inspections. The airline said the aircraft would resume its journey to Lucknow after receiving clearance from the relevant authorities.
As of around 11 pm on Saturday, the security process was still progressing, and the IndiGo flight was expected to operate once the necessary approvals were obtained.
The incident once again highlights the strict security protocols followed by airlines and airport authorities when a potential threat is reported, even when its credibility has not been established.
Investigators are continuing to examine the origin of the note and the circumstances surrounding its discovery. The identity of its author and the motive behind the threat remain unknown.
