A nerve-wracking incident unfolded at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport as an IndiGo aircraft landed on the same runway where an Air India jet was in the midst of taking off, raising concerns about passenger safety and operational protocols.
The close call, which occurred on June 8, 2024, was captured in a video that circulated on social media, depicting both planes maneuvering on the same runway. The IndiGo flight, operating from Indore to Mumbai as flight 6E 6053, was granted landing clearance by the Air Traffic Control (ATC) at Mumbai Airport. Meanwhile, the Air India aircraft, destined for Thiruvananthapuram as flight AI657, was in the process of taking off.
IndiGo swiftly responded to the incident, stating that their pilot adhered to ATC instructions throughout the approach and landing. “Passenger safety is paramount to us, and we have reported the incident as per procedure,” mentioned IndiGo in a statement following the incident.
Similarly, Air India clarified that their aircraft had received clearance from ATC for take-off and had followed standard procedures during the take-off roll. “An investigation has been initiated by the authorities to find out more about the clearance given to the airlines,” stated Air India in their statement addressing the incident.
The Directorate of Civil Aviation has launched a thorough probe into the incident and has taken action by derostering the Air Traffic Control official on duty at the time of the incident. The probe aims to determine the sequence of events leading to the close proximity of the two aircraft on the runway and to identify any lapses in communication or procedures.
The incident underscores the critical role of ATC operations in ensuring safe and efficient air traffic management, particularly at busy airports like Mumbai. Authorities are expected to review and reinforce safety protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future and to uphold passenger safety as the top priority in aviation operations.
The close call at Mumbai Airport between an IndiGo aircraft landing and an Air India jet taking off highlights the importance of stringent safety measures and effective ATC communication to avoid potential accidents. As investigations proceed, measures to enhance runway safety protocols are anticipated to be implemented to safeguard passengers and maintain operational excellence in aviation.
Sources By Agencies
