Kolkata: A passenger has been apprehended and handed over to airport police following a hoax hijack threat involving an Air India flight from Kolkata to Mumbai, officials said on Thursday.
The incident involved flight AI 2772, which was scheduled to leave Kolkata on Wednesday morning. The aircraft was delayed for several hours after a handwritten note threatening a hijacking was discovered inside its lavatory before departure.
According to the Airports Authority of India (AAI), a cabin crew member found the note at around 10.37 am. It warned that the aircraft would be hijacked at 11.10 am, prompting security agencies to carry out mandatory safety checks.
Air India Flight Delayed By Several Hours
Following the discovery of the threat note, all 105 passengers were asked to disembark. The aircraft was then moved to an isolation bay for a detailed security inspection.
The flight, which was originally scheduled to depart at approximately 10.30 am, eventually took off for Mumbai at 5.38 pm after the prescribed security procedures were completed.
Authorities subsequently declared the hijack threat a hoax.
Passenger Handed Over To Airport Police
The AAI said a passenger was apprehended in connection with the incident and handed over to the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport Police Station.
The police are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the threat and establish the passenger’s alleged role in the incident.
