Lucknow, India: An IndiGo flight operating from Delhi to Bagdogra made an emergency landing at Lucknow’s Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport on Sunday after a bomb threat was detected onboard, triggering a full-scale aviation security response.
The aircraft, operating as IndiGo flight 6E-6650, was diverted mid-air after the crew alerted Air Traffic Control (ATC) about a suspicious message found inside the aircraft. According to official sources, a handwritten note claiming the presence of a bomb was discovered on tissue paper inside one of the aircraft’s lavatories.
Following standard security protocols, ATC directed the aircraft to divert to Lucknow, where it landed safely. All passengers and crew were evacuated without injury, and the aircraft was moved to an isolation bay for inspection. The flight was carrying 222 adult passengers and eight infants, along with two pilots and five cabin crew members.
Security agencies, including the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), local police, airport security personnel, and a Bomb Disposal Squad, conducted an extensive search of the aircraft, luggage, and cabin. A Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) was also convened as part of the response.
Initial inspections found no explosive device, and authorities later indicated that the threat appeared to be a hoax, though investigations remain ongoing to identify the source of the message and determine whether legal action will be pursued.
IndiGo, in a brief statement, confirmed the diversion and said the airline followed all mandatory safety and security procedures. The airline emphasized that passenger safety remains its highest priority.
Airport operations at Lucknow were temporarily affected during the security checks, but normal operations resumed once authorities cleared the aircraft.
India has witnessed a rise in hoax bomb threats targeting aviation in recent months, prompting airlines and airports to adopt a zero-tolerance approach. Aviation security experts stress that even false threats must be treated as real until proven otherwise, given the potential risk to passengers and infrastructure.
Authorities have reiterated that issuing false bomb threats is a serious criminal offence under Indian law and warned of strict action against those found responsible.
