A handwritten bomb threat note discovered aboard an IndiGo flight preparing to depart Kolkata for Shillong on the morning of February 14, 2026, triggered a full-scale security response at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. Passengers were evacuated and the aircraft moved to an isolation bay while security agencies carried out detailed checks on board and on the baggage. As of early afternoon local time, no explosive device had been found, but the incident has caused delays and raised fresh questions about aviation security and the impact of such scares on domestic air travel in India.
What Happened on the IndiGo Kolkata Shillong Flight
The incident involved an IndiGo flight operating on the busy regional route between Kolkata and Shillong. The aircraft was scheduled to depart around 9:15 a.m. local time, a peak morning window for domestic departures. According to airport officials, the threat was discovered while the aircraft was still on the ground and preparing for departure, which allowed authorities to act before the plane pushed back from the gate.
During the boarding process, a member of the cabin crew reportedly found a piece of paper inside one of the aircraft toilets. The handwritten note claimed that there was a bomb on board the aircraft. The discovery immediately triggered standard security protocols, with the crew notifying the cockpit and ground staff, who then alerted airport authorities and security agencies stationed at the terminal.
Airport management confirmed that the aircraft was quickly repositioned from its regular parking bay to an isolation bay located away from the terminal building and other aircraft movements. This is a standard step in bomb threat situations, allowing specialized teams to conduct checks in a more controlled environment and to minimize any risk to nearby passengers, staff, and infrastructure.
How Passengers Were Evacuated and Kept Safe
Once the threat note was discovered, the top immediate priority for both IndiGo and airport authorities was the safety of everyone on board. Passengers who had already boarded were instructed to disembark calmly, escorted by the crew and ground staff. Those still waiting at the gate were informed that boarding had been halted, and the aircraft would not be departing as scheduled.
Reports from the airport describe an orderly but understandably tense atmosphere as travelers were led back into the terminal and directed to a secure holding area away from the affected gate. Security personnel and airline representatives worked together to keep passengers informed while avoiding unnecessary panic. Medical teams were put on standby, a routine precaution whenever emergency procedures are activated in an airport environment.
All checked baggage belonging to passengers on the flight was offloaded for screening, and security officers carried out identity verification to ensure that no one had left the aircraft or the gate area without proper clearance. Authorities also collected preliminary statements from travelers and crew who might have noticed suspicious behavior or unattended items before the note was found.
Security Response and Ongoing Investigation
Following established aviation security procedures, the aircraft underwent a thorough search by specialized bomb detection units. This process includes methodical inspection of the cabin, galleys, overhead bins, lavatories, cargo holds, and any compartments where an improvised device could potentially be concealed. Checked and cabin baggage were rescreened using a combination of X-ray machines, explosive trace detectors, and manual checks where required.
The Airports Authority of India and airport security agencies activated their emergency response plans, which involve coordination between the airport operator, central industrial security forces, local law enforcement, and bomb disposal squads. The isolation bay, designed specifically for such incidents, allowed the teams to work in relative containment without severely disrupting overall operations at the terminal.
Officials have indicated that, as of the latest updates, nothing suspicious has been found on board the aircraft or in the baggage, pointing increasingly toward the likelihood of a hoax. However, authorities continue to treat the incident as a serious security threat until every part of the aircraft and every piece of luggage has been cleared. The origin of the handwritten note, including fingerprints, handwriting analysis, and potential CCTV links, is now a primary focus of the investigation.
What IndiGo and Airport Officials Have Said So Far
In a statement, IndiGo confirmed that a security threat was discovered on a flight operating from Kolkata to Shillong on February 14 and that all relevant authorities were immediately informed. The airline emphasized that it is fully cooperating with airport and security agencies and that the safety and security of passengers, crew, and aircraft remain its top priority.
The director of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport has stated that the aircraft was moved to the isolation bay as soon as the note was discovered and that passengers were removed from the aircraft without incident. The director also confirmed that the checking process is ongoing and that all procedures are being followed in line with the standard operating protocol for aviation bomb threats.
Airport officials have stressed that there is no indication of a wider threat to the airport or to other flights. However, they have acknowledged that operations on the affected stand and nearby areas have been temporarily disrupted, contributing to delays for some services as security resources are concentrated around the isolated aircraft.
Impact on Flight Operations and Passenger Travel Plans
For passengers booked on the affected Kolkata Shillong service, the bomb scare has meant significant disruption to their travel plans. With the aircraft taken out of normal operation for an extended security sweep, the original departure time was quickly rendered unviable. IndiGo has been working to either reschedule the flight using a cleared aircraft or to rebook passengers on later services, subject to aircraft and crew availability.
Some connecting travelers, including those heading onward from Shillong or returning to Kolkata later in the day, are facing knock-on delays. Airline staff at the terminal have been tasked with assisting passengers seeking rebooking, refunds, or alternative routing. Hotels and ground transport arrangements, especially for those who may need to overnight due to missed connections, are being handled on a case by case basis.
At a broader operational level, the use of an isolation bay and diversion of security personnel inevitably slows down apron movements and security processes for some time. While local media and airport sources suggest that most other flights are operating normally, travelers passing through Kolkata today should expect the possibility of minor delays at security checkpoints and during boarding, as authorities maintain heightened vigilance in the wake of the incident.
Context: Recent Bomb Scares and Aviation Security in India
The IndiGo Kolkata Shillong incident does not occur in isolation. Over recent months, India has seen a series of bomb scares across different airports and airlines, many of which have ultimately been deemed hoaxes but have still triggered large scale security responses. Some of these incidents have involved threat notes discovered in aircraft lavatories, a worrying trend that authorities are taking increasingly seriously.
Each bomb threat, even if later proven false, imposes a heavy operational and financial burden on airlines and airports and adds to anxiety among travelers. For carriers such as IndiGo, which operates an extensive domestic network and turns aircraft around quickly between flights, an incident of this kind can have a cascading effect on schedules throughout the day. Flight disruptions, diversions, and intensive checks also generate added costs for security agencies and airport operators.
In response, airport authorities across India have been continuously reviewing and reinforcing their security protocols. This includes more frequent cabin checks by crew, enhanced monitoring of terminal and boarding gate areas through CCTV, and random secondary screenings of passengers and cabin baggage. Public awareness campaigns also remind passengers to report suspicious items or behavior and to avoid leaving personal belongings unattended.
What Travelers Through Kolkata and India Should Expect Now
For travelers flying from or through Kolkata in the coming hours and days, the immediate message from authorities is one of vigilance rather than alarm. Security levels at major Indian airports already operate at a relatively high baseline, and incidents like today’s typically result in temporary tightening of procedures. This often translates into slightly longer lines at security checkpoints, more visible patrols on the concourses, and occasional spot checks near boarding gates.
Passengers should plan to arrive earlier than usual for their flights, especially at busy morning and evening peaks, to account for any additional screening. Those flying on regional routes similar to Kolkata Shillong may find that airlines and crew are particularly attentive during boarding and cabin checks. Travelers are also likely to hear more safety related announcements and might be asked to cooperate with extra verification of identification documents or baggage tags.
Although such measures can feel inconvenient, they contribute to a layered security system designed to prevent serious incidents and to isolate potential threats before an aircraft leaves the ground. The prompt discovery of the threat note on today’s IndiGo flight, and the swift movement of the aircraft to an isolation bay, underscore how these protocols function in practice. The fact that the aircraft was still on the ground and accessible to security teams is a key reason why the situation has remained contained.
Key Takeaways for Future Flyers and the Travel Industry
From a travel industry perspective, the bomb threat on the IndiGo flight at Kolkata illustrates both the vulnerabilities and the strengths of modern air transport. On the one hand, the ease with which a note can be left in an aircraft lavatory and cause such widespread disruption reveals the ongoing challenge of deterring malicious hoaxes. On the other hand, the rapid, coordinated response by crew, airport authorities, and security agencies shows that the systems designed to protect passengers are active and effective.
For individual travelers, the episode is a reminder to factor in the possibility of unexpected disruptions, particularly in regions and seasons where air traffic volumes are high. Flexibility in itineraries, adequate layover times for connections, and awareness of airline policies on rebooking and refunds can help mitigate the impact of incidents that are beyond any one passenger’s control.
As investigators work to identify who authored the threat note and what their motives may have been, authorities are likely to further refine procedures that govern cabin checks, crew reporting, and the handling of in flight or pre departure threats. The travel community, from airlines and airports to tour operators and corporate travel managers, will be watching closely for updates and any new guidance issued as a result of today’s scare in Kolkata.
For now, the most important development for passengers is that they were safely evacuated and that all available resources are being deployed to ensure the aircraft and baggage are thoroughly cleared before any future operation. While the disruption is unwelcome, it underlines a core aviation principle that safety must always override schedule, convenience, and cost when a potential threat arises.