Airlines

Runway Close Call:IndiGo Plane Lands as Air India Jet Takes Off

Two commercial aircraft, one belonging to IndiGo and the other to Air India, narrowly escaped a potentially catastrophic collision on the runway at Mumbai Airport.

The incident, which occurred on Saturday, has sparked an investigation by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to uncover the circumstances surrounding the close call.

Reports indicate that an IndiGo flight arriving from Indore was mistakenly cleared to land on the same runway where an Air India aircraft was in the process of taking off for Thiruvananthapuram. The situation escalated as the Air India flight was still accelerating down the runway for takeoff while the IndiGo aircraft began its descent for landing. Miraculously, the Air India flight managed to lift off just in time, narrowly avoiding a collision with the incoming IndiGo plane.

Yesterday’s incident at #MumbaiAirport where an @IndiGo6E plane landed while an @airindia flight was taking off on the same runway is extremely concerning. The runway is already over-congested, handling over 1,000 flights daily, making it prone to risks.@MoCA_GoI & @DGCAIndia… pic.twitter.com/br7j3SyB9Z
— Milind Deora | मिलिंद देवरा ☮️ (@milinddeora) June 9, 2024

In response to the incident, the DGCA swiftly took action by removing the Air Traffic Control (ATC) staff member who cleared the IndiGo flight to land on the occupied runway, pending the outcome of the investigation. Both airlines have also issued statements regarding the incident, with Air India asserting that their aircraft was cleared for takeoff by ATC.

The viral video footage of the incident, widely circulated on social media, depicts the tense moment when both planes are seen occupying the same runway. As the Air India aircraft initiates its takeoff roll, the IndiGo plane can be observed descending for landing, highlighting the gravity of the situation.

Commenting on the incident, Alok Yadav, General Secretary of the ATC Guild India, emphasized the complexities of managing high-intensity airports like Mumbai and Delhi, where numerous flights operate hourly. He noted that air traffic controllers (ATCOs) play a crucial role in ensuring the safe arrival and departure of planes and passengers. Yadav also suggested that the visibility at the time of the incident appeared to be adequate, indicating the need for a thorough investigation into the matter.

Airlines

DOT Proposes New Passenger Compensation Rules for Flight Disruptions

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has unveiled a major initiative to enhance protections for air travelers affected by flight cancellations or significant delays caused by airlines.

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This Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeks public feedback on new measures that could require airlines to compensate passengers and provide necessary services automatically.

Key Proposals by the DOT:

Cash Compensation for Airline-Caused Disruptions
- Airlines may be required to pay passengers at least $200 in cash for flight disruptions caused by circumstances under their control, such as mechanical issues or IT failures.
- A tiered compensation system is being considered:
  - $200–$300 for domestic delays of 3–6 hours.
  - $375–$525 for delays lasting 6–9 hours.
  - $750–$775 for delays exceeding 9 hours.
- The DOT is exploring whether smaller airlines should have different compensation thresholds and whether compensation is needed if passengers are notified weeks in advance of a disruption.
Free Rebooking on the Next Available Flight
- Airlines may be obligated to rebook passengers at no extra cost if a flight is canceled or delayed by at least 3 hours domestically or 6 hours internationally.
- Rebooking options may include:
  - Flights operated by the airline or its codeshare partners.
  - Flights on other carriers with which the airline has a commercial agreement if no suitable options are available within 24 hours.
Provision of Meals, Lodging, and Transportation
- Airlines may need to cover meals, overnight accommodations, and transportation for stranded passengers.
- Minimum reimbursements could be established when services aren’t provided upfront, ensuring passengers can recoup costs even without submitting receipts, up to a defined limit.

The DOT’s proposals draw inspiration from consumer protection frameworks in countries like Canada, Brazil, the UK, and the European Union. Research suggests that EU compensation requirements have successfully reduced the frequency and length of delays, demonstrating the effectiveness of such measures.

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Passengers currently face numerous hurdles when seeking compensation or services, including vague policies, lack of upfront communication, and reliance on in-person requests at airports. The new rulemaking aims to close these gaps by establishing clear, enforceable standards for airlines.

Public input on the proposed measures will shape the final rules. The DOT hopes these changes will create a more accountable and passenger-friendly system, ensuring travelers are better supported during disruptions.

With these proposed rules, the DOT seeks to make airline travel more reliable and fair, setting a new standard for passenger rights in the United States.