Pilot Safely Lands Afghan Airlines Flight on Incorrect Delhi Runway
DELHI- An alarming incident occurred at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) when an Ariana Afghan Airlines flight from Kabul (KBL) mistakenly touched down on the wrong runway. Intended for runway 29L, the plane landed on 29R while another aircraft was in the process of taking off on Sunday, November 23, 2025.
A spokesperson from the DGCA confirmed that the situation is currently being investigated. Preliminary assessments suggest that the aircraft lost Instrument Landing System (ILS) guidance during its final approach, prompting the crew to revert to a visual landing method in low visibility conditions.
Incident at Indira Gandhi International Airport
The A310 aircraft of Ariana Afghan Airlines was cleared for runway 29L. However, about four nautical miles from the airport, the crew reported a loss of ILS guidance. This led them to drift off course and switch to a visual approach, amid challenging weather conditions.
Air Traffic Control logs indicate that the crew acknowledged the landing clearance for 29L. Nonetheless, they aligned the plane with 29R, where another aircraft was already preparing for takeoff.
Upon investigation, the crew explained that both ILS receivers malfunctioned after reaching the final approach fix. This malfunction caused the deviation from the designated landing path.
The final approach fix signifies the start of the descending segment in an instrument approach. Any navigation issues encountered at this stage pose significant risks, especially under low visibility.
According to the pilots, they were not warned by the control tower about their deviation. It was only upon landing that they noticed they had landed on 29R instead of the intended 29L.
DGCA officials are currently examining if the ILS malfunction stemmed from the aircraft’s systems or external influences. Flight data and air traffic control recordings are under review to evaluate compliance with established procedures.
Importance of ILS Integrity
The Instrument Landing System is crucial for providing precise guidance during low visibility landings. Disruptions to this system can severely impact a pilot’s ability to maintain the correct path during descents. Such incidents emphasize the necessity for dependable instrumentation and constant air traffic control monitoring in challenging weather.
Authorities are now auditing the aircraft’s navigation systems while also evaluating ATC responses to this incident. This investigation will determine whether additional safety measures are necessary for operations in low visibility at high-traffic airports like Delhi.
Related Incidents
A previous incident occurred on June 8, 2024, involving an IndiGo flight 6E5053 and an Air India flight AI657. Both were Airbus A320neo aircraft and faced a potential runway conflict that raised safety concerns within the aviation industry.
The IndiGo jet landed on runway 27 while the Air India flight was taking off toward Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV). This incident drew immediate scrutiny from regulators and aviation experts alike.
Safety Concerns Raised
Footage recorded by planespotter Karan Bhanushali highlighted the severity of the near miss, showing the Air India aircraft still accelerating on the runway during the IndiGo landing. The video became widely circulated, prompting serious discussions about runway operations in Mumbai.
IndiGo’s representatives stated that the crew adhered to all ATC instructions throughout the landing process. Additionally, it was mentioned that the situation had been reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, which launched an investigation into the event.
Industry professionals expressed concern regarding potential clearance issues and highlighted the urgency in addressing the incident to improve runway safety protocols.
Flight and Operation Overview
Air India’s aircraft, VT RTS, is an A320neo configured with 180 seats and was delivered in March. It represents one of the newest additions to the airline’s fleet.
IndiGo’s VT ISV also belongs to the A320neo family and departed Indore at 05:25, later arriving in Mumbai at 06:15. Both flights operated smoothly without any mechanical issues. All recorded times were according to local time.
Aviation experts underscored the significance of maintaining a clear separation between landing and takeoff operations, especially in busy airports like Mumbai. They expressed concerns about what could have happened had either aircraft deviated from the expected performance.
The discussion surrounding the incident is evolving as many express the need for a thorough investigation to ensure safety measures remain robust as flight traffic continues to rise.
