KOLKATA- A passenger has been apprehended after allegedly making a false hijack threat against an Air India (AI) flight at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU), with investigators reportedly linking him to the handwritten warning found onboard. The man, who was travelling on a Kolkata-Mumbai service, allegedly told investigators that he made the threat to avoid travelling abroad for work because his wife was unwell.
The incident involved Air India flight AI 2772, an Airbus A320 registered as VT-TNH, scheduled to operate from Kolkata (CCU) to Mumbai (BOM) on Wednesday, November 11. The threat triggered a major security response, forcing authorities to evacuate 105 passengers and seven crew members before conducting extensive inspections of the aircraft.
Air India Hijack Threat
The security scare began at approximately 10:37 am when a cabin crew member discovered a handwritten note inside the aircraft’s lavatory. The message warned that the aircraft would be hijacked at around 11:10 am, prompting the crew to alert the authorities.
Air Traffic Control (ATC) received the information, following which airport security agencies initiated the prescribed procedures for a suspected hijack threat. The aircraft was moved to an isolation bay, where all passengers and crew members were safely deboarded.
Security personnel subsequently conducted a detailed inspection of the aircraft to rule out any potential threat. Authorities also carried out the necessary checks before allowing the flight to resume its journey.
Passenger Handed Over to Authorites
Investigators identified the suspected passenger after comparing the handwriting on the threat note with samples collected during the investigation. According to officials, the handwriting matched that of a man who was scheduled to travel on the Mumbai-bound flight.
The passenger subsequently admitted to writing the threatening note, officials said. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) confirmed on Thursday, November 12, that a passenger had been apprehended and handed over to the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport Police Station.
According to reports, the man was employed by a private company and was expected to travel overseas for work. During questioning, he reportedly told investigators that he did not want to leave his ailing wife behind, which prompted him to write the false hijack warning.
The incident disrupted the travel plans of more than 100 passengers and required multiple agencies to conduct security checks. The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the threat and determine the appropriate legal action.
Air India flight AI 2772 Resumed Operations
After completing the mandatory security procedures, authorities declared the hijack warning a hoax. Air India flight AI 2772 eventually departed Kolkata for Mumbai at 5:38 pm on Wednesday, more than seven hours after its originally scheduled departure.
The incident follows another hijack scare involving an IndiGo (6E) flight operating from Bengaluru (BLR) to Lucknow (LKO) on November 7. Flight 6E 451 returned to Bengaluru after a passenger discovered a handwritten threat inside the aircraft’s lavatory.
The aircraft, which was carrying 178 passengers, underwent security inspections before receiving clearance to continue its journey. Authorities subsequently declared that threat a hoax as well, Hindustan Times flagged.
Earlier, on October 14, an Air India flight operating from Frankfurt to Delhi was diverted to Jaipur following a suspected hijack alert. The aircraft reportedly transmitted Squawk Code 7500, the internationally recognised code indicating hijacking or unlawful interference, before landing safely.
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