A domestic IndiGo flight was compelled to make an unscheduled return to Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport due to a hijack threat note found on board. Flight 6E451, en route to Lucknow, was in the air when a passenger noticed the alarming message inside the toilet.
Incident Details
The flight had taken off from Bengaluru at 5:50 pm, carrying 178 passengers. The handwritten note, discovered mid-flight, ominously proclaimed, “This plane is going to get hijacked exactly at 06:30. Ignore and see the consequences.” This prompted the passenger to immediately notify the flight crew, who then alerted the pilots.
The pilots communicated with Air Traffic Control (ATC) and decided to return to Bengaluru as a safety measure. Upon landing, a full emergency was declared at Terminal 1 of the airport.
Security Response
Once back on the ground, all passengers were evacuated from the aircraft for a thorough security inspection. Authorities conducted detailed checks of the plane, while police questioned the passengers to determine who might have planted the threatening note.
Security protocols were strictly followed, and after exhaustive checks, the plane was cleared to resume its journey. The flight later departed again and safely reached its destination in Lucknow.
IndiGo’s Official Statement
IndiGo issued a statement acknowledging the incident and explaining the actions taken. “In line with Standard Operating Procedure, the relevant authorities were informed immediately, and the pilots decided to return to the origin to carry out the necessary security checks, as per protocol,” the statement read. The airline expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to passengers and assured them that efforts were made to minimize disruptions, including providing refreshments and regular updates.
Such incidents highlight the importance of maintaining strict security protocols and the swift action required in potential threat situations. The investigation to identify the person responsible for planting the note is ongoing.
Source: NDTV India
