Mumbai. A major accident was averted at Mumbai airport on Saturday when an Air India plane took off from the same runway as an IndiGo plane was landing. Officials said on Sunday that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) as well as IndiGo and Air India are investigating the matter. Sources said that there were a total of about 300 passengers on both A320 planes. IndiGo’s plane landed on the same runway 27 from where the Air India plane was taking off.
IndiGo said in a statement that it was given permission to land by Air Traffic Control (ATC), while Air India said in a statement that it was given permission to take off. IndiGo said in a statement, “On June 8, IndiGo flight 6E 6053 from Indore was given permission to land by ATC at Mumbai airport. The pilot in charge continued to land and followed the instructions of ATC.” Air India said that its plane was given permission by ATC. An alleged video of a plane landing and another plane taking off on the same runway has been shared on social media.
“We are investigating and the ATCO involved in the incident has already been removed from duty,” a DGCA official said. Mumbai airport operates on a single runway, with two crossing runways. Mumbai airport has around 46 arrivals and departures per hour on one runway, RW27.
IndiGo said in a statement, “On June 8, IndiGo flight 6E 6053 from Indore was cleared to land by ATC at Mumbai airport. The pilot in charge continued the approach and landing and followed the instructions of ATC.” A source in the Airports Authority of India (AAI) said that according to the rule, departing aircraft have to cross the end of the runway or turn, only after which ATC can issue landing clearance for incoming aircraft. He said, “These rules were allegedly not followed in this case.”