DGCA launches probe into incident involving IndiGo and Air India aircraft converging on Mumbai airport runway | Business News

However, the minimum distance required between aircraft at busy airports like Mumbai may be small and air traffic control has some leeway to reduce it further if conditions, particularly visibility and wind, permit. Therefore, aviation experts say it would be premature to draw any conclusions based on the video alone.

“In the video, the planes appear very close as it was shot from an angle (probably near the barracks adjacent to the threshold of runway 27), but in reality the planes are far apart. This is HIRO (High Intensity Runway Ops). Conducted in many countries including India when visibility is more than 3 km and tailwind is less than 5 knots,” aviation industry veteran Captain Shakti Lumba posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) about the incident.

Mumbai airport has two cross runways, which means it can only use one runway at a time, effectively making it a one-way operation. The runway sees up to 46 aircraft movements – take-offs and landings – per hour. During its investigation, the DGCA is expected to ascertain whether the air traffic controllers and pilots acted within the prescribed norms.

In their statements on the incident, both IndiGo and Air India said that their pilots on both flights acted in accordance with instructions from Mumbai air traffic control.

“AI657 from Mumbai to Trivandrum was on takeoff run on June 8. The Air India aircraft was cleared by air traffic control to enter the runway and was subsequently cleared for takeoff. The Air India aircraft continued the takeoff process as per established procedures. The authorities have initiated an investigation to find out more about the clearance given to the airline,” an Air India spokesperson said.

“IndiGo flight 6E 6053 from Indore was cleared to land by the Air Traffic Control at Mumbai airport. The pilot in command continued the approach and landing following the instructions of the Air Traffic Control. At IndiGo, passenger safety is our top priority and we have reported the incident as per protocol,” IndiGo said in its statement on the incident.