BENGALURU, Nov. 8, 2026 — An IndiGo flight to Lucknow returned to Bengaluru on Nov. 7 after a handwritten hijack threat was found in a lavatory. A security search found nothing and the threat was declared a hoax.
What happened
- Flight 6E-451 left Bengaluru for Lucknow at 5:50 p.m. on Nov. 7 with 178 passengers on board.
- About 30 minutes after takeoff a handwritten hijack note was found in the lavatory. Reports differ on whether a passenger or the crew found it.
- The pilots asked air traffic control for priority and returned to Bengaluru, where a full emergency was declared at Terminal 1.
- Security searched the aircraft for about 90 minutes, found nothing and declared the threat a hoax. The flight continued to Lucknow later that night.
- IndiGo said “the pilots decided to return the aircraft to its originating airport.”
- Police are investigating. Whether a case has been registered or a suspect identified: TBA.
What it means for non-revs
The disruption was limited to one flight, delayed by several hours. Expect closer security checks on IndiGo departures from Bengaluru in the coming days and allow extra time at the airport. The incident follows a wave of hoax threats against flights in Europe this month, a reminder for crews everywhere to report anything suspicious.
Sources
- Business Today, “Mid-air hijack scare: IndiGo flight returns to Bengaluru after threat note found in toilet” — https://www.businesstoday.in/india/story/mid-air-hijack-scare-indigo-flight-returns-to-bengaluru-after-threat-note-found-in-toilet-566359-2026-11-08
- ANI, “Full emergency declared at Bengaluru Airport after hijack threat note found on Lucknow-bound IndiGo flight” — https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/full-emergency-declared-at-bengaluru-airport-after-hijack-threat-note-found-on-lucknow-bound-indigo-flight20261107230518/
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