Runway scare at Mumbai airport
A serious runway conflict was narrowly averted at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on late evening Tuesday, when a Delhi-bound Air India (AI) flight was instructed to abort its takeoff as another Air India (AI) Express flight was landing on the same runway.
According to airport sources, the Air India aircraft was cleared for departure to Delhi when the AI Express flight, arriving from Bagdogra, approached for landing on the same active runway. On instructions from Air Traffic Control (ATC), the Air India crew immediately discontinued the takeoff roll and returned safely to the bay.
In an official statement, AI confirmed the incident involving flight AI816 and emphasised that safety protocols were followed.
This marks the second reported ground incident involving AI in less than a month. Earlier, an AI and an IndiGo aircraft came face-to-face on the ground at Ahmedabad airport, triggering safety concerns.
A joint investigation by aviation authorities has been initiated to determine the exact sequence of events and identify any lapses in runway management or communication at Mumbai airport.
