Hijack threat delays Air India flight from Kolkata to Mumbai

A handwritten hijack threat found aboard Air India flight AI 2772 in Kolkata on November 11 prompted security checks that delayed the plane’s departure for Mumbai by more than seven hours. Authorities treated the threat as a hoax, and the flight left at 5:38 p.m. after the inspection. The Airports Authority of India said one passenger was apprehended and handed over to airport police.

Cabin crew found the note in the aircraft’s lavatory at about 10:37 a.m., shortly before the flight’s scheduled departure at around 10:30 a.m. The note warned that the aircraft would be hijacked at 11:10 a.m., according to Kolkata airport director Vikram Singh.

The aircraft was moved to an isolation bay at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. Security agencies carried out checks under standard procedures, and all 105 passengers were deboarded. The aircraft was cleared to depart after authorities found no threat.

The airport authority’s November 12 press note confirmed that a passenger was apprehended and handed over to the airport police station. It did not provide further details about the threat assessment or the circumstances of the apprehension.

One account attributed to officials...