Bomb Threat Forces Evacuation of Air India Express Flight
On 12 November 2025, a flight operated by Air India Express (IX-1023) from Mumbai to Varanasi received a bomb threat while airborne. The crew found a handwritten note in the aircraft lavatory stating “Bomb. Goodbye.” In line with protocol, the flight landed safely at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi and passengers were evacuated. The airline alerted the government-appointed Bomb Threat Assessment Committee and security teams were deployed. The aircraft remains grounded pending a full clearance.
Broader Security Alerts
Simultaneously, the InterGlobe Aviation-operated airline IndiGo received digital threat notifications for five major Indian airports – Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Thiruvananthapuram. These threats triggered heightened alerts and additional checks at terminal buildings nationwide.
Response and Ongoing Investigation
Security agencies say preliminary checks found no explosive devices on the aircraft or at the notified airports. Investigations are underway to trace the origin of the note and digital threats. Officials emphasise that security infrastructure performed as designed and travel operations remain unaffected, although passengers experienced delays and tightened screening.
