‘Bomb’ note found on IndiGo Lucknow-Dammam flight, aircraft makes emergency landing in Ahmedabad

An IndiGo flight travelling from Lucknow to Dammam in Saudi Arabia made an emergency landing at Ahmedabad airport on Thursday after a handwritten note containing the word “bomb” was reportedly discovered onboard, prompting security agencies to initiate emergency procedures.

The aircraft was diverted to Ahmedabad after the crew was alerted about the suspicious message. Following the landing, the plane was taken to a designated isolation area as airport authorities, security personnel and bomb detection teams began checks. Passengers and crew members were safely evacuated from the aircraft, with no injuries reported.

Note triggers security alert

The threat was reportedly written on a piece of paper found inside the aircraft. Once the crew was informed, established security protocols were activated and the pilots decided to divert the flight to Ahmedabad rather than continue towards Dammam.

Security agencies subsequently searched the aircraft and passengers’ baggage as part of the precautionary response. Authorities were also working to determine who had written or placed the note and whether the threat had any credibility.

The incident involved IndiGo’s regular service connecting Lucknow with Dammam, an important route serving passengers travelling between Uttar Pradesh and Saudi Arabia. The airline has operated direct connectivity between the two cities for several years.

Another scare linked to Dammam route

The incident comes days after another Dammam-linked flight was diverted to Ahmedabad following a similar security scare. On August 31, an Air India flight travelling from Dammam to Delhi made an emergency landing at Ahmedabad after a crew member found a tissue paper bearing the word “bomb” in an aircraft lavatory. The passengers were safely deboarded and the aircraft subjected to security checks.

Hoax bomb threats have emerged as a persistent challenge for Indian aviation, forcing airlines and airports to activate costly security procedures even when no explosive device is ultimately discovered.

Authorities were carrying out further checks in Thursday’s incident before allowing the aircraft to resume operations. Further details on the origin of the note and the subsequent journey of the passengers were awaited.