New Delhi: A possible mishap involving aircraft of Emirates and Etihad Airways over Indian airspace early on Monday was averted when Mumbai ATC alerted one of the commanders, aviation sources said on Tuesday.
The incident was reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, which has started its investigation, the sources said.
The incident occured night of March 29-30, when Emirates flight EK 706 was heading to Dubai from Seychelles while Etihad flight EY-622 was on its way to Seychelles from Abu Dhabi, the sources said.
“Emirates can confirm that flight EK 706 on March 29 from Seychelles to Dubai was involved in an Air Traffic Control incident in Mumbai airspace,” an Emirates spokesperson said. The crew informed the authorities of the incident and later filed an Air Safety Report, which will be forwarded to Mumbai Air Traffic Control, the spokesperson said.
“At no point was the aircraft, passengers or crew at risk. All Emirates aircraft are equipped with onboard instrumentation so that crew are alerted in a timely manner of all surrounding traffic. Safety is of paramount importance to Emirates and we will be cooperating fully with the Mumbai Air Traffic Control in the subsequent investigation,” the spokesperson added.
An Etihad Airways spokesperson said the airlines "has strongly rejected claims that the safety of flight EY622, Abu Dhabi to the Seychelles, was compromised".
"The traffic collision avoidance system, which is fitted on all aircraft, ensured that safe vertical separation of both aircraft was maintained at all times. Etihad Airways has provided its safety reports to the GCAA and is assisting with its investigation as well as conducting its own investigation into the incident," according to Etihad.
Noticing that the two aircraft were close to each other, Mumbai Air Traffic Control alerted one of the commanders by giving a Resolution Advisory (RA), the sources said.
An RA is given to the pilot if the distance reduces to the extent that the risk of collision reaches 25 seconds.
It is an indication given to the flight crew recommending either a manoeuvre intended to provide separation from all threats; or a manoeuvre restriction intended to maintain existing separation.
This is also an instruction to climb, descend or level out. The pilot is required to comply in six seconds. The instruction has priority over other ATC instructions.
Due to the closure of Yemeni airspace in the wake of the ongoing civil war in the region, Emirates and Etihad are operating to Seychelles using Mumbai and Muscat airspace.
