Air India Flight Hijack Threat at Kolkata Airport: Passengers Evacuated

A security scare unfolded at Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport on Wednesday, November 11, after a threatening message was discovered inside the washroom of a Mumbai-bound Air India aircraft shortly before its scheduled departure.

The message reportedly warned that the aircraft would be hijacked at 11:10 am, prompting airport authorities to activate emergency security procedures. The aircraft was subsequently moved to an isolated parking area, while passengers who had boarded the flight were asked to disembark. According to reports quoting Kolkata Airport Director Vikram Singh, the flight was scheduled to depart at approximately 10:20 am. The discovery of the message triggered an immediate response from airport authorities and security personnel.

What Happened Inside the Air India Aircraft?

The incident came to light when cabin crew members noticed a threatening message written on the mirror inside one of the aircraft's toilets. According to media reports, the message was written using lipstick and contained a warning about a possible hijacking.

The crew immediately informed the pilot, who subsequently alerted Air Traffic Control (ATC). Following the alert, airport authorities initiated security protocols and directed the aircraft to move to an isolation bay for further examination. All passengers who had boarded the aircraft were evacuated as a precautionary measure. However, authorities have not confirmed that an actual hijacking attempt took place. The incident remains a security alert involving an unverified written threat.

Which Air India Flight Received the Hijack Threat?

The aircraft was operating a domestic flight from Kolkata to Mumbai. According to PTI reports quoting the Kolkata Airport Director, the flight was identified as Air India AI 772, which was scheduled to depart at around 10:20 am.

Key flight details:

Airline: Air India
Flight number: AI 772 (according to PTI)
Departure: Kolkata
Destination: Mumbai
Date: November 11, 2026
Scheduled departure: Approximately 10:20 am
Threat discovery: Shortly before departure
Threatened hijacking time: 11:10 am

How Many Passengers Were on Board?

The exact number of passengers aboard the aircraft remains unclear, as different media organisations have reported different figures. Some reported that 147 passengers were on board, and some cited a figure of 103 passengers and five crew members. An officially confirmed passenger count was not available in the reports reviewed. Therefore, neither figure should be treated as definitive.

Following the discovery, airport authorities moved quickly to prevent any potential risk to passengers, crew members and other airport operations. The aircraft was taken to a designated isolation bay, where security personnel could conduct a detailed inspection. A bomb disposal team was also deployed to examine the aircraft for suspicious objects. Airport security personnel, fire brigade teams and other emergency responders were alerted. Meanwhile, investigators began examining the circumstances surrounding the threatening message. These measures were taken as a precaution because aviation authorities are required to treat potential hijacking and bomb threats seriously, even when their credibility has not yet been established.

Was It a Real Hijacking Threat or a Hoax?

Despite the security alert, there has been no confirmation of an actual hijacking attempt. Similarly, authorities have not publicly established that the message was a hoax. The distinction is important. Discovering a threatening message does not necessarily mean that an aircraft is facing an immediate hijacking attempt. However, ignoring such a warning could put passengers and crew members at risk.

The decision to evacuate passengers and move the aircraft to an isolation bay was therefore a precautionary security measure. The final assessment will depend on the findings of the investigation and the aircraft inspection.

The incident at Kolkata airport once again highlights the importance of security procedures at airports and onboard aircraft. Even a handwritten warning can trigger a significant emergency response because authorities cannot determine the seriousness of a threat without proper investigation. For passengers, the immediate priority remains safety. Moving an aircraft to an isolated area, evacuating passengers and conducting security checks are precautionary steps designed to prevent potential risks.