A Lucknow-bound IndiGo flight made an emergency return to Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru on Saturday (November 7, 2026) after a handwritten note on a hijack threat was discovered inside the lavatory shortly after take-off.

Flight 6E-451 had departed from Terminal 1 of KIA when cabin crew members found the note. The message reportedly read: “This flight is going to hijack at 6.30, ignore and see the consequences.”

The crew immediately alerted the pilot-in-command, who informed Air Traffic Control (ATC) and sought priority clearance to return to Bengaluru. Airport authorities declared a full emergency as a precautionary measure.

According to flight-tracking website Flightradar24, the aircraft remained airborne for 51 minutes before returning to KIA.

The aircraft landed safely and was moved to an isolated bay, where security agencies, including the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and the Bengaluru police, cordoned off the area. All passengers were safely deboarded in accordance with standard operating procedures.

Bomb disposal personnel and dog squads were deployed to inspect the aircraft and passenger baggage as part of the security checks. Sources in Bangalore International Airport Ltd. (BIAL) told The Hindu that the aircraft was subjected to a thorough inspection following the threat. The checks did not reveal anything suspicious, and the aircraft was declared safe. “The threat was subsequently found to be a hoax, following which the emergency was lifted by the authorities,” the sources said.

Officials said that an investigation has been initiated to ascertain who left the handwritten note inside the aircraft.

In a statement to The Hindu, an IndiGo spokesperson said 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. The airline said it was providing refreshments and regular updates to passengers. The flight will resume its journey after receiving the requisite clearances. IndiGo said passenger and crew safety remained its utmost priority.