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

Air India Rolls Out A350s for Delhi-New York JFK and Newark Routes

In a major development for North American travelers, Air India has announced the deployment of its state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft on two key routes: Delhi to New York and Delhi to Newark.

The service on the Delhi-New York route will commence on November 1, 2024, while the Delhi-Newark route will see its inaugural flight on January 2, 2025.

The introduction of the air india a350 will bring significant enhancements to Air India’s offerings, particularly with the launch of its Premium Economy class. air india retrofit This new class will feature 24 wide seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, providing passengers with extra legroom and a more comfortable flying experience.

Soon, Air India aircraft will feature onboard WiFi & all-new cabins: Click here

“We are encouraged by the positive guest feedback we have received from the domestic deployment of our air india a350 interior to offer our hero product on the Delhi-New York JFK and Delhi-Newark routes. This is a significant leap forward for our U.S. operations that also underscores our commitment to continuous improvement,” said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Air India.

The A350’s Business class will set new standards with 28 private suites, each equipped with full-flat beds, direct aisle access, and personal wardrobes. Economy class will be configured to accommodate 264 passengers in a 3-4-3 layout. Across all cabins, passengers will enjoy the latest Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system, offering over 2,200 hours of content.

Air India’s First A350-900: Interior, Routes, &Inflight Features: Click here

This strategic deployment marks a notable enhancement in Air India’s U.S. operations, with 60% of its flights to the U.S. now featuring new or upgraded cabin interiors. The air india new international routes currently operates 51 weekly flights to five U.S. destinations: New York JFK, Newark, Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco.

The revamped cabins, advanced in-flight entertainment systems, and improved service standards represent air india wifi commitment to providing a superior travel experience. “We believe this enhanced offering will solidify Air India’s position as a leading carrier and attract travellers seeking a world-class flying experience between India and the United States,” the airline stated.

Seats on these flights are now available for booking on Air India’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents, ensuring that passengers can easily plan their journeys on these newly upgraded routes.