Bengaluru airport declares full emergency after hijack threat on IndiGo flight

A full emergency was declared at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport, on Saturday, after a suspected hijack threat was found onboard an IndiGo flight bound for Lucknow.

The threat message was discovered inside the aircraft's lavatory while flight 6E-451 was en route from Bengaluru to Lucknow on November 7. Following the discovery, the pilots turned the aircraft around and returned to Bengaluru in line with established safety protocols.

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After the aircraft landed at Terminal 1, security personnel and aviation authorities took charge and began anti-sabotage checks to ensure the safety of the aircraft and passengers.

An investigation has been launched to trace the origin of the threatening message and identify those responsible.

In a statement, an IndiGo spokesperson 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."

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"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," the statement added.

The airline said it was providing refreshments and regular updates to passengers as the aircraft awaited mandatory security clearances before resuming its journey to Lucknow.