‘Bomb’ note found in lavatory prompts Air India Express flight to Delhi to divert to Ahmedabad

An Air India Express flight operating from Dammam to Delhi was forced to divert to Ahmedabad airport on Monday after a crew member discovered a note bearing the word “bomb” inside the aircraft's lavatory.

The flight landed safely at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at approximately 4:21 pm. Air traffic controllers immediately directed the Boeing aircraft to an isolated bay away from the main passenger terminals, triggering standard emergency protocol.

Passengers Deboarded Under High Security

All 32 passengers on board were deboarded without incident and transferred directly to Terminal 2. Security personnel held the passengers under close supervision inside the terminal building while emergency teams assembled on the tarmac.

A bomb disposal squad, alongside central security agencies and airport police, launched a exhaustive sweep of the cabin, cargo hold, and fuselage.

"The crew member raised an immediate alert upon finding the slip of paper during a routine cabin check," a senior airport security official confirmed. "Diversion to the nearest suitable airfield was executed right away as a standard safety protocol."

Signature Verification Underway

Investigating officers have begun interviewing all 32 passengers to determine who accessed the lavatory shortly before the discovery. Investigators are collecting handwriting samples and signatures from everyone on board to compare against the script found on the paper.

The aircraft remains grounded in the isolation bay while sniffer dogs and forensic teams complete their clearance protocols. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the threat is genuine or a hoax, and further details regarding the full text of the note are expected later this evening.