NEW DELHI: A major incident was narrowly avoided at Delhi Airport when an Ariana Afghan Airlines pilot landed the aircraft on the ‘wrong’ runway.
According to Indian media, the Afghan flight arriving from Kabul on Sunday touched down on a runway at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport that is reserved only for take-offs.
Fortunately, no aircraft was lined up for departure at that moment, which prevented what could have been a serious accident.
Indian aviation authorities have launched an inquiry into possible lapses in air traffic management.
Initial findings, reported by local media, suggest that air traffic control had issued correct instructions and the pilot had been directed to land on the proper runway.
An Indian aviation official said Afghan pilot Abdul Maroof Sikandari was questioned and he blamed the incident on a technical fault and poor visibility.
According to the cockpit crew, the pilot realised the mistake only after the aircraft had already touched down.
The incident comes at a time when Taliban authorities are trying to strengthen their air corridor with India after border crossings with Pakistan remained closed.
Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, has urged Afghan traders to reduce dependence on Pakistan and adopt alternative trade routes.
Ariana Afghan Airlines has also announced reduced freight charges for imports and exports with India.
