Passengers aboard IndiGo flight 6E-6650 from Delhi to Bagdogra faced a mid-air scare on Sunday, 18 January 2026, after a bomb threat note was discovered in the aircraft lavatory, forcing an urgent emergency landing in Lucknow and triggering significant disruption across one of India’s busiest domestic corridors.

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Bomb Threat Note Triggers Mid-Air Emergency

The incident unfolded on Sunday morning when crew members on IndiGo’s Delhi to Bagdogra service 6E-6650 reportedly found a handwritten message on tissue paper in one of the rear toilets stating that there was a bomb on board. The chilling note, described by officials as bearing the words “bomb on the plane” or “plane mein bomb,” immediately activated the airline’s and airport authorities’ security protocols.

According to police and airport officials, Air Traffic Control received information about the threat at approximately 8:46 a.m. local time, while the Airbus aircraft was cruising en route to Bagdogra in northern West Bengal. The cockpit crew contacted controllers and requested an immediate diversion, classifying the situation as a full-scale emergency.

The aircraft was then vectored to Lucknow’s Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, the nearest suitable airfield with the necessary security and emergency response capabilities. Within about 30 minutes of the alert being received, the flight made a precautionary diversion and carried out an emergency landing, with authorities on high alert on the ground.

Safe Emergency Landing and Large-Scale Security Operation

Officials said the aircraft landed safely in Lucknow at around 9:17 a.m., with no injuries reported among passengers or crew. Upon touchdown, the jet was directed to an isolation bay at the far end of the airfield, away from terminal buildings and other aircraft, in line with standard procedures for serious security threats.

Security around the aircraft was immediately tightened. Quick Reaction Teams from airport security, Central Industrial Security Force personnel and state police cordoned off the area, and bomb disposal squads were deployed to begin a meticulous search of the aircraft. Fire and medical teams were also kept on standby as a precaution.

All passengers were evacuated from the aircraft via standard procedures and moved to a secure holding area in the terminal. They underwent comprehensive security screening while their checked baggage and carry-on items were separated for further inspection. Authorities described the response as swift and by the book, emphasizing that the primary objective was to ensure that every potential risk was thoroughly ruled out.

Passengers, Infants and Crew Caught in Travel Chaos

IndiGo and airport authorities indicated that there were around 230 to 238 people on board, including 222 adult passengers, eight infants, two pilots and five cabin crew members. While everyone was safely evacuated, the abrupt diversion to Lucknow caused considerable disruption for travelers heading to Bagdogra, which serves as a major gateway to the eastern Himalayas, North Bengal, and the popular hill destination of Darjeeling.

Inside the terminal, passengers faced hours of uncertainty as bomb detection and disposal teams worked through a methodical sweep of the aircraft, luggage containers and cargo hold. Families traveling with small children, business travelers on tight schedules and tourists bound for the hills were all left in limbo as operations unfolded.

Many passengers reportedly experienced anxiety and confusion during the episode. The discovery of a bomb threat note in flight, subsequent emergency descent and the sight of heavily armed security forces around the aircraft contributed to visible tension within the cabin and later in the terminal. However, the absence of any injuries and the professional handling of the evacuation helped prevent panic from escalating further.

IndiGo and Authorities Detail the Sequence of Events

In a statement issued after the landing, IndiGo confirmed that a security threat had been identified on board flight 6E-6650 operating from Delhi to Bagdogra on 18 January. The airline said the aircraft was diverted to Lucknow after the crew discovered the message, and that relevant authorities were immediately informed in line with established safety protocols.

The airline emphasized that it was fully cooperating with security agencies in conducting all necessary checks and reiterated that the safety and security of customers, crew and aircraft remained its top priority. IndiGo added that efforts were being made to minimize disruption for passengers by providing refreshments and regular updates during the prolonged security hold in Lucknow.

Lucknow police and airport officials provided further operational details, confirming the exact times of the alert and landing and describing the note found on the tissue paper in the aircraft lavatory. They reported that the aircraft was promptly moved to an isolation bay, with bomb threat assessment committees and specialist units convened to evaluate and respond to the situation.

Investigators Probe Origin of the Hoax Threat

By Sunday afternoon, officials indicated that the threat was increasingly being treated as a suspected hoax, though formal confirmation awaited the conclusion of all security checks and forensic analysis. No explosive device had been recovered from the aircraft or baggage during initial sweeps, but authorities maintained a cautious tone, stressing that every procedure must be completed before drawing final conclusions.

Investigators are expected to scrutinize closed-circuit television footage from boarding gates in Delhi, cross-check passenger manifests, and interview crew and passengers who may have used or passed near the lavatory where the note was discovered. Forensic teams are likely to examine the tissue paper for fingerprints or other trace evidence that could help identify the individual responsible.

Police have also indicated that they will explore any links to previous hoax calls or written threats that have targeted airlines and airports in India in recent years. If confirmed as a hoax, those responsible could face serious criminal charges under Indian law for causing public alarm, endangering safety and disrupting essential services, with penalties that can include imprisonment and heavy fines.

Ripple Effects for Flights and Airports Across the Region

The emergency diversion of flight 6E-6650 had knock-on effects for operations at Lucknow as well as at Delhi and Bagdogra. At Lucknow, runway occupancy was temporarily adjusted to accommodate the isolated aircraft and the deployment of emergency vehicles, which may have caused minor delays to other incoming and outgoing flights during the most intense phase of the security response.

At Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, the removal of a scheduled departure from the system freed a slot but also triggered rebooking and baggage handling adjustments for passengers whose journey abruptly ended in Lucknow rather than Bagdogra. Ground staff had to coordinate with IndiGo’s operations control to re-protect affected travelers on later services or alternative routings once the security situation stabilized.

Bagdogra Airport too was drawn into the disruption, as staff awaited updates on the diverted flight and prepared for a delayed or substitute arrival. The airport’s management issued a public statement acknowledging the incident and confirming that the aircraft had landed safely in Lucknow and was undergoing thorough checks in an isolation bay.

Indian Aviation on High Alert as Security Protocols Tested

The scare involving IndiGo flight 6E-6650 is the latest in a string of security incidents that have periodically tested India’s civil aviation infrastructure. Although actual bomb attacks on commercial aircraft are rare, authorities treat every threat with absolute seriousness, particularly when a message is discovered on board an aircraft already in flight.

India’s aviation security framework mandates immediate escalation in cases of specific threats, such as written or verbal claims of an onboard explosive. Standard measures include diversion to the nearest suitable airport, isolation of the aircraft, full evacuation of passengers and crew, deployment of bomb detection squads, and activation of an airport’s bomb threat assessment committee.

Experts note that while such responses can cause major inconvenience and financial cost, the industry operates on a principle of zero tolerance when it comes to potential explosives. The IndiGo diversion to Lucknow demonstrated that multiple agencies, from ATC and airport operators to local police, CISF and specialized bomb disposal units, can be mobilized within minutes when an in-flight threat is reported.

Stranded Passengers Face Long Waits and Uncertain Itineraries

For travelers caught in Sunday’s disruption, the ordeal did not end with the safe landing. With the aircraft held at an isolation bay and the investigation stretching through the day, many passengers found themselves stranded in Lucknow with little clarity on when they would reach Bagdogra or alternative destinations.

IndiGo moved to provide refreshments and assistance in the terminal, according to its statement, and began working on options such as arranging another aircraft or accommodating passengers on later flights. However, because the original aircraft itself was the focus of a bomb threat inquiry, any redeployment required explicit clearance from security agencies, contributing to prolonged delays.

Some passengers with onward connections from Bagdogra to hill stations and regional hubs faced the prospect of reworking hotel bookings and ground transportation at short notice. Travel agents and tour operators catering to the popular North Bengal and Sikkim circuits were left monitoring developments closely, as the temporary loss of a key flight from Delhi added strain during a busy travel period.

Wider Questions on Hoax Threats and Passenger Responsibility

The suspected hoax nature of the tissue-paper message has reignited debate over the growing number of false alarms directed at airlines and airports, not only in India but worldwide. While most do not result in actual harm, the operational and financial impact is substantial, with diversions, security sweeps, crew duty-time complications and large-scale passenger disruption.

Legal experts highlight that Indian laws are increasingly stringent when it comes to bomb hoaxes and unlawful interference with aircraft. Individuals who plant or relay fake bomb threats can face prosecution under sections of the Indian Penal Code and special aviation security acts, potentially leading to years in prison. In addition, airlines can seek civil damages to recover some of the costs tied to diversions and emergency responses.

Aviation analysts suggest that heightened public awareness about these consequences is essential. In the highly sensitive environment of commercial air travel, even remarks made in jest about bombs or weapons can trigger serious legal and security responses. The IndiGo incident in Lucknow is likely to be used as a case study in future public advisories and in crew training programmes, underscoring how a few words on a scrap of tissue were enough to reroute a full Airbus, mobilize national security resources and cause system-wide travel chaos.