Mumbai Airport Runway Scare: Air India and Air India Express Planes Come Face-to-Face, AI816 Aborts Take-Off
Air India flight AI816 aborted its take-off at Mumbai airport after air traffic control instructed the crew to stop because an Air India Express aircraft had not yet vacated the runway. The precautionary action prevented a potential runway conflict. The Boeing 777 returned to the bay, and alternate arrangements were made for passengers.
An Air India flight bound for Delhi aborted its take-off at Mumbai airport on Tuesday night, July 7, after air traffic control (ATC) instructed the crew to stop when an Air India Express aircraft was still on the same runway, according to airline and source information. The precautionary action prevented a potential runway conflict, with both aircraft remaining safe.
The incident occurred at around 10 pm when Air India flight AI816 was preparing for departure while Air India Express flight AIX1547, which had arrived from Siliguri, had not yet vacated the runway. Air India confirmed that its crew discontinued the take-off run following instructions from ATC and returned the aircraft to the bay. Viral Video Shows Water Dripping Onto Baggage Belt at Navi Mumbai Airport, Authorities Blame AC Glitch.
ATC instructs Air India crew to abort take-off
According to sources, the Air India Express aircraft was still on the runway after landing when the Delhi-bound Air India flight began its take-off roll from the same runway.
In a statement, an Air India spokesperson confirmed that the take-off was aborted following instructions from air traffic control but did not disclose further operational details. Mumbai Airport Fire: Minor Blaze Erupts at Terminal 1 of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, No Injuries Reported (Watch Video).
"The crew operating flight AI816 from Mumbai to Delhi on July 7 discontinued the take-off run after receiving an instruction to do so from the Air Traffic Control and returned to the bay," the Air India spokesperson said in the statement. Generally, a take-off run refers to an aircraft rolling before gaining take-off speed.
According to sources, Air India flight AI816 from Mumbai to Delhi was scheduled to be operated by a Boeing 777-300ER wide-body aircraft. The arriving Air India Express flight AIX1547 from Siliguri was operated using a Boeing 737 MAX 8 narrow-body aircraft. Passengers to be accommodated on alternate flight
The Air India spokesperson said the aircraft would undergo the necessary checks in line with standard operating procedures before returning to service. The airline also said an alternative arrangement was being made to transport passengers to Delhi at the earliest.
Further details, including the number of passengers on board either aircraft and the circumstances leading to the runway conflict, were not immediately available.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 08, 2026 07:58 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).