NEW DELHI, July 22 (Alliance News): An Air India Airbus A320 flight veered off the runway during landing at Mumbai International Airport on Monday amid heavy rainfall, briefly disrupting operations and causing damage to the aircraft’s engine and the airport’s primary runway.
Air India confirmed that all passengers and crew members from flight AI2744, which originated from Kochi, disembarked safely. However, the airline did not comment on whether any injuries occurred during the incident.
The Mumbai airport authority described the event as a “runway excursion,” noting that the aircraft caused “minor damages” to the main runway. A secondary runway was promptly activated to ensure continuity of flight operations.
According to reports from Times of India, three of the aircraft’s tyres burst upon landing. Television footage aired by NDTV and India Today showed significant damage to the aircraft’s engine casing, with visible cracks and abrasions.
Air India stated that the aircraft has been grounded for inspection and maintenance checks.
This incident comes as the airline faces mounting scrutiny following the deadly crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in Ahmedabad last month, which claimed 260 lives. Adding to Air India’s troubles, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) recently announced plans to investigate Air India Express after a Reuters report alleged the carrier falsified records and failed to replace critical engine components on time, violating aviation safety directives.
The latest runway mishap raises fresh concerns about aviation safety in India, particularly amid the monsoon season, which often brings operational challenges for airports across the country.
