Air India flight aborts take-off after ATC warns runway is occupied.
A potential runway incident involving an Air India aircraft and an Air India Express flight was narrowly averted at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Tuesday night after air traffic controllers instructed an Air India flight to abort its take-off, according to The Indian Express.
The incident occurred at around 10pm, when Air India flight AI816, bound for New Delhi, had started its take-off roll while an Air India Express aircraft was still occupying the same runway, the report said.
Following an immediate instruction from Air Traffic Control (ATC), the flight crew aborted the take-off and safely returned the aircraft to the parking bay, preventing any conflict between the two aircraft.
In a statement quoted by The Indian Express, an Air India spokesperson confirmed the incident, saying the flight crew acted promptly on instructions from Air Traffic Control.
“The crew operating flight AI816 from Mumbai to Delhi on July 7 discontinued the take-off run after receiving an instruction to do so from Air Traffic Control and returned to the bay,” the spokesperson said.
The airline said the aircraft would undergo mandatory technical inspections in accordance with standard operating procedures before being cleared to return to service.
It added that alternative travel arrangements were being made for passengers affected by the disruption.
The spokesperson added: “The aircraft will undergo the necessary checks in accordance with standard operating procedures. Meanwhile, alternative arrangements are being made to fly passengers to their destination at the earliest. Air India regrets the inconvenience caused by this unforeseen situation. The safety and well-being of our passengers remain our highest priority.”
No injuries or damage to either aircraft were reported.
According to The Indian Express, authorities have not yet clarified how the Air India flight was cleared for departure while the runway was still occupied by the Air India Express aircraft. It also remains unclear whether the incident disrupted other flight operations at the airport.
