An IndiGo flight scheduled to travel from Mumbai to Ahmedabad was delayed for more than eight hours early Wednesday after a handwritten warning found onboard triggered a major security response, officials said.
The incident occurred at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport shortly after the aircraft had pushed back from the bay. A tissue paper with the word “Danger” written on it was discovered inside the plane, prompting immediate precautionary measures.
No suspicious items found during inspection
Authorities quickly moved the aircraft to an isolation area for inspection. Passengers, their baggage, and the entire aircraft underwent detailed checks. Despite the extensive search operation, officials confirmed that no suspicious items were recovered.
The situation came to light soon after departure preparations had begun.
"At 1.32 am, an IndiGo pilot reported to the Air Traffic Control (ATC) that a tissue paper bearing the word 'Danger' was found in the flight (6E 911). The aircraft had pushed back at 1.21 am. The tissue paper was located in the front galley (kitchen area) of the aircraft, underneath a crew folder," PTI quoted the sources as saying.
However, a police official from Sahar station gave a slightly different account of the location of the note.
"The staff found a tissue paper with 'Danger' written on it inside a toilet. The airport authorities immediately alerted the Mumbai police's control room and also contacted the nearest police station. A Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) was rushed to the spot, and a thorough search of the aircraft was carried out. However, no suspicious object was found. Police later registered a case against an unidentified person and launched an investigation in this connection," the official added.
IndiGo yet to issue statement
The flight, originally scheduled to depart at 1.30 am and arrive in Ahmedabad by 2.50 am, eventually took off at 9.48 am and landed at 10.36 am, according to data from Flightradar24. IndiGo has not issued any official statement regarding the incident so far.
