NEW DELHI: A serious safety scare unfolded at Indira Gandhi International Airport when an Ariana Afghan Airlines flight from Kabul landed on a runway primarily reserved for departures, prompting an official investigation.
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The incident occurred around 12:07 p.m. on Sunday, when flight FG 311, an Airbus A310, touched down on Runway 29R, typically used for take-offs. Airport sources confirmed that a major accident was narrowly avoided, as no other aircraft were lined up for departure on 29R at the time.
Had a plane been waiting, the unexpected landing could have caused a runway incursion with potentially grave consequences. Authorities have launched a probe to determine whether the error arose from the cockpit crew or air traffic control directions.
⚡ Afghan Air pilot lands on wrong runway at Delhi airport; probe ordered:
A major incident was averted at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) on Sunday when an Ariana Afghan Airlines aircraft landed on a wrong runway.
The Afghan Air’s flight FG-311 (an A310… pic.twitter.com/ZvhIwTtDJ5
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Investigators will review communication records, approach clearances, and cockpit procedures to understand how the aircraft came to land on a runway designated for departures. The pilot-in-command of the Ariana flight reported losing the Instrument Landing System (ILS) signal at 4 nautical miles from the runway and executing a visual approach, ultimately landing on 29R.
The ILS is a precision radio navigation system that guides aircraft during landing in poor visibility, at night, or during adverse weather conditions. Losing the signal can force pilots to switch to visual landing, which increases the risk of landing errors, particularly at busy airports.
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Officials emphasized that no injuries or damage occurred, but the incident raises concerns about runway safety protocols and coordination between air traffic control and incoming flights. The airport authority has assured that the probe will be thorough and transparent, aiming to prevent similar occurrences in the future.