11-November-2026
On 11 November, passengers on a Mumbai-bound Air India flight at Kolkata were taken off the aircraft after a threat note was discovered before departure, according to PTI, citing the airport director. The incident raises a separate service question: how should airlines and airports support passengers while security authorities do their work?
The Aviation Times asks: Who takes charge of passenger updates once people are back in the terminal? Can travellers with disabilities, families with young children and people with onward connections get help without joining several queues? If there is no reliable departure estimate, are passengers told when they will hear again?
The Aviation Times recommends that airlines and airport operators agree on a passenger care plan for security-related disruptions. Name the team responsible for updates, provide an accessible help point, and explain rebooking and baggage options as soon as they are known. After the event, review time to first passenger update and time to offer rebooking, without disclosing sensitive security procedures.
A passenger can understand why a flight must wait. They should never have to guess who is responsible for helping them.
