Bomb Scare on IndiGo Flight from Jeddah to Hyderabad Turns Out to Be Hoax

An IndiGo flight en route from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to Hyderabad received a hoax bomb threat on November 1, 2025, prompting its diversion to Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport for security checks. The threat, described in a message as referencing a "1984 Madras airport-style blast"—alluding to a historical incident involving explosives at Chennai's then-Meenambakkam airport—led to swift action by aviation authorities. IndiGo flight 6E68, carrying passengers from the kingdom's commercial hub to the Telangana capital, safely landed in Mumbai around 9:10 a.m. IST, originally its scheduled arrival time in Hyderabad, as per aviation tracker Flightradar24 data.

In a statement released later that afternoon, IndiGo confirmed that the crew received the threat mid-flight and immediately notified relevant authorities, adhering to established security protocols. Ground teams at Mumbai airport conducted thorough inspections, including bomb disposal squad sweeps and passenger screenings, to ensure no credible danger existed. The airline emphasised full cooperation with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and local police, underscoring the hoax's false nature while highlighting the zero-tolerance policy for such disruptions. This incident marks the latest in a spate of similar threats targeting Indian carriers, with over a dozen flights affected in recent months, often traced to anonymous social media or email warnings.

Passengers endured a delay of nearly seven hours, with the flight finally departing Mumbai and touching down in Hyderabad around 4:00 p.m. IST, well past the expected morning arrival. IndiGo reported providing refreshments, real-time updates, and assistance to mitigate discomfort, though some travellers expressed frustration on social media over the extended wait amid peak travel hours. No injuries or further issues were reported, and the airline reiterated that the safety of customers, crew, and aircraft remains paramount, often necessitating such precautionary measures in an era of rising aviation security concerns.

Also Read: Mumbai Airport Customs Seize 2 Gibbons, ₹7.97 Crore Hydroponic Marijuana in Twin Operations

The hoax has reignited calls for stricter cyber monitoring and international cooperation to curb anonymous threats, particularly those originating from abroad like this one, potentially linked to Jeddah's diverse expatriate community. Indian aviation officials are investigating the source, with preliminary indications pointing to a non-credible prank, but authorities warn of severe penalties under the Aircraft Act for false alarms that endanger public safety and strain resources. As air travel volumes surge post-pandemic, incidents like this underscore the balance between vigilance and efficiency, with IndiGo—India's largest carrier by market share—continuing operations without broader disruptions

Also Read: Maharashtra Opposition Protests Against Election Commission Over Voter List Errors