IndiGo Delhi-Bagdogra Flight Diverts to Lucknow After Mid-Air Bomb Threat Note

ByUjjwal Sukhwani•January 19, 2026 at 01:31 AM•3 min read

SAFETY

IndiGo Delhi-Bagdogra Flight Diverts to Lucknow After Mid-Air Bomb Threat Note

IndiGo flight 6E-6650 from Delhi to Bagdogra made an emergency landing in Lucknow after a bomb threat note was found, leading to the safe evacuation of 237 people.

Key Points

1IndiGo flight 6E-6650, carrying 237 people, diverted to Lucknow on January 18, 2026, due to a handwritten bomb threat note found in the lavatory.
2The Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) and Quick Reaction Teams (QRT) executed a full security sweep in the isolation bay.
3No suspicious material was found, confirming the threat was a hoax; the aircraft was cleared and departed for Bagdogra at 4:40 pm.
4The aircraft was carrying legally packaged radioactive material (cancer medicine), adding complexity to the security and clearance process.

An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Bagdogra was diverted. The IndiGo 6E 6650 diversion occurred on Sunday morning, January 18, 2026. This was due to a Delhi Bagdogra bomb threat reported mid-air. The aircraft made an IndiGo flight emergency landing at Lucknow airport. All 222 passengers, eight infants, and seven crew were safely evacuated.

Air Traffic Control (ATC) received the alert at 8:46 am. The aircraft landed safely at Lucknow airport at 9:17 am. Officials immediately moved the plane to an aircraft isolation bay procedure. Preliminary investigation found a handwritten bomb threat note. The note was discovered on a tissue paper inside a rear lavatory.

Emergency Response and Protocol

Security agencies swiftly activated established aviation security protocols. Quick Reaction Teams (QRT) cordoned off the aircraft. The Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) was immediately constituted. The BTAC evaluates the threat's credibility and directs the response. This is a critical step in Indian aviation security.

Bomb disposal squads and security agencies conducted a thorough check. The extensive security sweep found no suspicious items. This confirmed the threat was a hoax. The aircraft was cleared for onward travel. Flight 6E-6650 later resumed its journey to Bagdogra at 4:40 pm.

The Dangerous Goods Factor

Authorities confirmed the aircraft carried radioactive material in its cargo. This material was cancer medicine, properly packed with a No-Objection Certificate (NOC). The presence of dangerous goods added a layer of complexity. DGCA dangerous goods regulations are extremely strict for such cargo. These materials must be transported in approved, secure packaging.

Transport of radioactive material is governed by strict IATA standards. These rules ensure airline passenger safety and cargo security. The necessary NOC confirmed compliance with all safety regulations. This factor highlights the complexity of modern air cargo operations.

Impact on Aviation Security

This incident underscores the challenge of managing hoax threats. India's aviation sector has recently seen a rise in such alerts. The Lucknow airport security alert required significant resource deployment. Security protocols must treat every threat as genuine until proven otherwise. This is vital for maintaining public trust and safety.

Hoax threats cause major operational disruption and financial strain. The DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) and other agencies investigate these incidents seriously. Perpetrators face legal action for disrupting civil aviation safety. The swift, coordinated response ensured the safety of all 237 people onboard. This response also allowed for minimal delay once the threat was confirmed false.

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