Air India released a statement addressing the incident on June 8 at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, where two aircraft narrowly avoided a collision on the same runway. According to Air India, Flight AI657 bound for Trivandrum was given clearance by the Air Traffic Control (ATC) to enter the runway and proceed with take-off.
The statement emphasized that Flight AI657 followed all procedures as directed by ATC while initiating the take-off roll. It also mentioned that an investigation has been launched to delve deeper into the clearance procedures provided to the airlines involved.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) took swift action in response to the incident, de-rostering an Air Traffic Control officer (ATCO) from Mumbai. The incident occurred during the early hours of June 8, involving IndiGo flight 5053 arriving from Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport and Air India flight 657 departing for Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, both utilizing Airbus A320neo aircraft.
The close proximity of the landing and take-off sequences created a hazardous situation, prompting immediate action from aviation authorities. The DGCA’s decision to de-roster the ATC officer underscores the gravity of the situation and underscores the imperative of maintaining rigorous safety protocols in aviation operations.
An ongoing investigation seeks to ascertain the circumstances leading to the breach in protocol and to implement measures aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future. Alok Yadav, General Secretary of the ATC Guild India, highlighted the complexities of managing high-intensity airports like Mumbai and Delhi, operating numerous flights per hour.
Reviewing footage of the incident shared widely on social media, it was observed that the Air India flight was in the process of taking off as the IndiGo flight was landing. The Air India aircraft managed to become airborne without incident, although the close encounter raised significant safety concerns.
IndiGo also issued a statement confirming their adherence to ATC instructions during the incident, emphasizing their commitment to passenger safety and compliance with aviation procedures.
