A potentially catastrophic incident was narrowly avoided at the Indira Gandhi International Airport when two Vistara planes were simultaneously cleared for takeoff and landing, raising serious concerns about aviation safety.
One of the aircraft involved belonged to Star Airlines and was granted permission for takeoff. The flight was scheduled to travel from Delhi to Bagdogra and was preparing to depart from the newly inaugurated runway, adding a layer of complexity to the situation.
Simultaneously, a Vistara Airlines flight, en route from Ahmedabad to Delhi, was in the final stages of its descent to land on a nearby runway. Typically, aviation protocols dictate that an aircraft is not given clearance for takeoff on one runway if an aircraft on a different runway is still in the process of landing.
The real cause for concern lay in the proximity of these two runways. With minimal separation, there was a significant potential for the flight paths of these aircraft to intersect, creating a grave risk of collision.
It was the keen observation of the air traffic control officer on duty that ultimately averted disaster. The alert pilot of the aircraft taxiing for takeoff swiftly communicated the situation to the control tower. In response, the air traffic control officer acted decisively and issued immediate instructions for the impending takeoff to be aborted.
For the passengers on board the Delhi to Bagdogra flight, this sudden change of plans understandably raised apprehension. The pilot, addressing the passengers, announced that the flight would not be taking off as originally scheduled. With safety as the utmost priority, the aircraft safely returned to the parking bay, away from the active runway.
Fortunately, this incident was resolved without any injuries or damage to the aircraft involved. However, it serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of rigorous adherence to aviation safety procedures and the vigilance of air traffic control personnel.
The relevant authorities are expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident to prevent any such occurrences in the future. This near-miss incident at one of India's busiest airports highlights the need for constant vigilance and adherence to strict safety protocols in the aviation industry.
