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At Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, a serious incident occurred on Saturday, June 8, 2024, involving an IndiGo flight from Indore and an Air India jet bound for Thiruvananthapuram.
According to data from Flightradar, the IndiGo flight landed on the same runway just moments after the Air India plane took off, with only 509 meters separating them. This incident raised grave safety concerns and prompted an immediate investigation by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
The DGCA has de-rostered the air traffic controller involved in the incident and is investigating whether all norms were followed by the ATC and the pilots. The Air Traffic Controllers' Guild has highlighted the high stress and pressure faced by ATCs during peak traffic hours, especially at high-density airports like Mumbai.
IndiGo and Air India have both released statements, claiming that their pilots followed ATC instructions. However, the data from Flightradar contradicts the Air Traffic Controllers' Guild's assertion that there was no air proximity issue.
This incident has brought to light the intense pressure faced by air traffic controllers at busy airports. Mumbai airport, a single-runway operation, handles a high volume of flights daily, and the recent announcement of an 8% increase in air traffic during the summer schedule raises further concerns about safety.
The DGCA's ongoing investigation aims to determine the exact cause of the near-miss and to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
It is crucial for all parties involved, including air traffic controllers, pilots, and airport authorities, to work together to prioritize safety and ensure the smooth and efficient operation of air traffic.
Source: In Mumbai Airport Scare, IndiGo And Air India Planes Were Just 509 m Apart