Mumbai Airport Narrowly Avoids Runway Collision Between Two Air India Flights
A potential runway collision was averted at Mumbai Airport after an Air India and an Air India Express aircraft came face-to-face, prompting immediate action by air traffic control.
A major aviation accident was narrowly avoided at Mumbai Airport on Tuesday night after two aircraft from the Air India group found themselves on the same runway during landing and take-off operations.
According to airport officials, an Air India Express flight had just landed when an Air India aircraft preparing for departure entered the same runway. The situation quickly escalated, leaving the two aircraft only a short distance apart.
Air Traffic Control (ATC) immediately identified the conflict and instructed the Air India pilot to halt the aircraft. The prompt response ensured that both planes stopped safely before any collision could occur.
Officials said the departing Air India flight was scheduled to operate from Mumbai to Delhi, while the arriving Air India Express flight had landed from Siliguri. All passengers remained safe, and authorities later made alternative travel arrangements after the aircraft was withdrawn for technical inspections.
Following the incident, the Air India aircraft was moved to its maintenance base for precautionary checks. Airport authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported and that normal airport operations resumed after the runway was cleared.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated an investigation to determine how both aircraft came onto the same runway simultaneously and whether established operational procedures were followed.
