Mumbai-Bound Air India Flight Held at Kolkata After Hijack Note Found in Washroom

Flight pulled from runway after note discovered

A Mumbai-bound Air India service was halted before takeoff at Kolkata airport on Wednesday after a note threatening a hijacking was located inside the aircraft’s lavatory. Staff intercepted the plane before it could leave, and the aircraft was directed to a remote isolation bay for inspection.

The scheduled departure time had been 10.20 am. The note reportedly claimed a hijack would take place at 11.10 am, and it was spotted just before the plane was due to pull away from the gate.

Passengers removed and checks launched

Everyone who had already settled into seats was asked to leave the plane. Airport director Vikram Singh confirmed to the news agency PTI that the people on board were taken off and the aircraft was moved for security screening as a precaution.

Airport police said the flight, identified as AI 772, carried 147 passengers. According to an officer who spoke on condition of anonymity, the message may have been written in lipstick on the washroom mirror, and crew members flagged it to the cockpit before the alert was raised.

Emergency teams deployed

Authorities responded with a standard set of measures. Security personnel, fire brigade crews and bomb disposal specialists were sent to search the airport. The police officer described the deployment as routine procedure once a threat of this kind surfaces.

Background

Protocols for threats involving aircraft call for an immediate alert, isolation of the plane, and evacuation of passengers while teams examine the cabin. Officials have not, so far, publicly described the origin of the note or identified any suspect. Further details are awaited as the investigation continues.