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This is the moment two planes almost collided as one flew onto the Mumbai Airport runway while the other was taking off.
The two planes, operated by Air India and IndiGo, were spotted simultaneously on the tarmac of the single runway of Mumbai airport in India on Saturday.
Footage shows the Air India plane, which was flying from Mumbai to Trivandrum, taking off while the IndiGo plane, which had just flown in from Indore, landed.
The single runway at the airport has approximately 46 departures and arrivals per hour. In India, air traffic controllers are allowed to clear a maximum of two departures and two arrivals within three minutes, but this separation time can be reduced if visibility is good enough.
The country’s aviation watchdog, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, said it is investigating the incident and has already suspended the air traffic controller who was on duty at the time of the incident.
The two planes, operated by Air India and IndiGo, were spotted simultaneously on the tarmac of the single runway of Mumbai airport in India on Saturday.
Footage shows the Air India plane, which was flying from Mumbai to Trivandrum, taking off while the IndiGo plane, which had just flown in from Indore, landed
The two airlines involved are conducting their own investigation
“We are conducting an investigation and have already delisted the ATCO involved in the incident,” the spokesperson said.
The two airlines involved are also conducting their own investigations.
An Air India spokesperson told local media: “The AI657 from Mumbai to Trivandrum was taking off on June 8.
‘The Air India aircraft was cleared by air traffic control to enter the runway and subsequently cleared to take off.
“The Air India aircraft proceeded with the take-off roll as per established procedures.
“An investigation has been initiated by the authorities to find out more about the permission given to the airlines.”
Meanwhile, an IndiGo spokesperson said, “On June 8, IndiGo flight 6E 6053 from Indore was cleared to land at Mumbai airport.
‘The captain continued the approach and landing and followed the instructions of the ATC.’