Explained
Why was an Air India flight evacuated at Kolkata airport?
A hijack threat note was found on an Air India flight at Kolkata airport, leading to an evacuation and security alert. Indian travellers may be concerned about safety protocols on flights.
By SafarSamachar Desk · 11 Nov 2026
Illustration1What happened on the Air India flight at Kolkata airport?
A hijack threat note was found in the washroom of an Air India flight bound for Mumbai shortly before its scheduled departure from Kolkata airport. The note was discovered by the cabin crew, leading to an immediate security alert.
2Who was affected by the incident?
All 92 passengers who had boarded the flight were evacuated and taken out of the aircraft. Security personnel, including the bomb squad and fire brigade, were deployed as part of the investigation.
3When did the incident take place?
The incident occurred on Wednesday morning around 10.30 am. The hijack threat note was found just before the flight was scheduled to take off at 10.20 am.
4What happened after the note was found?
The aircraft was moved to an isolation bay at the airport for security checks. A thorough inspection of the plane and passenger luggage was carried out. The flight eventually took off for Mumbai at 5.38 pm.
5Was the threat real or a hoax?
The hijack alert was later confirmed to be a hoax by airport authorities. No suspicious items were found during the search, and the incident was resolved without any harm to passengers or crew.
6What did the authorities do during the investigation?
Security, fire brigade, and bomb squad personnel were deployed to search the aircraft. Passengers were questioned about their movements and any suspicious observations they might have noticed before or after boarding.
7What should Indian travellers know about this incident?
Indian travellers should be aware that such alerts are standard procedures when potential threats are detected. Authorities take such matters seriously, and investigations are conducted thoroughly to ensure passenger safety.
This explainer is based on our news report: Hijack threat note found on Air India flight at Kolkata airport, triggering security alert
Sources
- Mid-Day Mumbai ↗
- NDTV ↗
- Gulf Business ↗
- NewsX ↗
- The Financial Express ↗
- Mint ↗
- Hindustan Times ↗
- Greater Kashmir ↗
- Times Now ↗
- The Federal ↗
- The Times of India ↗
- Telangana Tribune ↗
Written with AI assistance from the sources above and checked against them. Confirm rules, fares and schedules with the official source before you travel.