Flight UK725 from Delhi to Bagdogra was taking off from the newly inaugurated runway and the Vistara flight from Ahmedabad to Delhi, after landing on a parallel runway, was moving towards the end of the runway
A major mishap was averted at the Delhi airport on Wednesday morning after two Vistara planes were given permission for landing and take-off at the same time.. The take-off was aborted after instructions from Air Traffic Controller (ATC).
Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation has ordered a probe into the incident.
Flight UK725 from Delhi to Bagdogra was taking off from the newly inaugurated runway and the Vistara flight from Ahmedabad to Delhi, after landing on a parallel runway, was moving towards the end of the runway. “Both were given permission at the same time but ATC took control immediately. The ATC (Air Traffic Control) officer on duty asked Vistara flight to abort take-off,” an official, who was aware of the developments, told ANI. An alert pilot alerted ATC and take-off of the second aircraft was aborted, sources told India Today.
DGCA has derostered air traffic controller for the runway incursion incident at Delhi airport, an official told India Today.
Delhi-Bagdogra flight returned to the parking bay from the active runway immediately after take-off was aborted. Officials said it was refuelled to ensure that the plane had enough fuel to return to Delhi if the pilot encountered bad weather conditions at Bagdogra. The braking system was also checked, they said. According to airport officials, if the flight taking off was not stopped at the right time, a major accident could have happened.
According to Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), no aircraft or vehicle movement is allowed during the process of take-off and landing. Sources said passengers became a little apprehensive when the pilot of the flight bound for Bagdogra announced that the plane will not take off due to instructions from ATC.
Senior pilot and founder of Safety Matters Foundation, Capt Amit Singh said that flight operations “from closely spaced runways require enhanced monitoring and stricter compliance with SOPs to avoid a potential traffic collision due to the proximity of the flight path”. “Normally a take-off clearance is not issued to an aircraft on one runway unless the aircraft on the second runway has landed,” he said.