A Mumbai-bound Air India flight was placed under a security alert at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport on Wednesday morning, November 11, after a threatening message warning of a possible hijacking was discovered inside the aircraft’s washroom.
The incident prompted airport authorities to activate security procedures, deboard passengers and move the aircraft to an isolation bay for a detailed inspection. The flight had been scheduled to depart at 10:20 am, and the message was reportedly discovered shortly before take-off.
The warning stated that the aircraft would be hijacked at 11:10 am, raising immediate concerns about the safety of passengers and crew.
Threatening Message Found Inside Aircraft Washroom
According to initial information, the message was discovered in the aircraft’s washroom just before its scheduled departure from Kolkata. The exact circumstances under which the note was left inside the aircraft remain unclear.
Kolkata airport director Vikram Singh confirmed that the threat had been reported and that precautionary measures were immediately initiated.
Following the discovery, the aircraft was removed from its regular parking position and taken to an isolation bay. This allowed security personnel to carry out necessary checks away from the airport’s normal operational areas.
The note’s reference to a specific time for the alleged hijacking added urgency to the response. However, authorities had not established whether the warning represented a genuine threat or a hoax.
Passengers Deboarded as Security Checks Begin
All passengers who had boarded the aircraft were asked to disembark as part of the precautionary response. Security teams began examining the aircraft to determine whether any suspicious objects or other potential threats were present.
The response followed standard aviation security procedures designed to protect passengers and crew when a possible hijacking threat is reported.
Airport security personnel and other relevant agencies were involved in the process. Investigators are also expected to establish how the message entered the aircraft and who may have written it.
At the time of the initial reports, no confirmed information was available about any arrests or the identity of a suspect. Authorities had also not announced the final outcome of the aircraft inspection.
Investigation Underway to Identify Those Responsible
Security agencies are examining the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the discovery of the message and the possibility that it was deliberately placed to disrupt flight operations.
Investigators may review available CCTV footage and other relevant evidence to establish who accessed the aircraft before departure. Identifying the person responsible will be important in determining whether the incident involved a credible security threat or an attempt to create panic.
A false hijacking warning can cause significant disruption at an airport, requiring aircraft inspections, passenger evacuation and the deployment of security personnel. If authorities establish that the message was deliberately intended as a hoax, those responsible could face legal consequences under applicable laws.
However, the authenticity of the threat and the circumstances behind it remained unconfirmed in the initial reports.
Flight Operations Affected by Security Alert
The incident interrupted the flight’s planned departure as officials prioritised passenger safety and a thorough inspection of the aircraft.
Such security alerts can lead to delays while authorities verify that an aircraft is safe to operate. Any decision to allow the flight to depart would depend on the outcome of the necessary checks and clearance from the relevant authorities.
The episode once again highlights the importance of responding promptly to threats involving commercial aviation. Even when a warning has not been verified, airport authorities must take it seriously until investigations establish the facts.
Further details about the inspection, the investigation and the flight’s subsequent departure were awaited as the security response continued.
